Americans often have difficulty making time for basic activities that keep them healthy, and getting exercise before or after work is a real challenge for many. But what if you could get in some physical activity at work, thereby potentially reducing the amount of time you needed to spend on workouts outside of it? Here’s how choosing a job involving at least some physical work can benefit you.
Health Benefits of Jobs That Keep You Moving
Doing even moderate activity each day can provide significant health benefits, and physically active jobs can help you get them. Getting your body moving regularly can accomplish the following:
Help manage weight
Increase circulation
Improve brain health (reduced anxiety and depression as well as better cognitive function)
Reduce your risk of disease (heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and several cancers)
Strengthen your muscles and bones
Improve your balance and ability to do various physical tasks
Careers That Can Help You Stay Active
Many careers that involve daily movement exist in industries related to emergency response, repair and maintenance, and direct care for plants, animals, or people. Some examples include:
Firefighters. During an emergency, firefighters may have to run, climb, or stand for long periods of time. They may also need to hoist and carry heavy objects or people.
Nurses. Nurses spend plenty of time on their feet, gathering equipment and taking patient vital signs. They also assist patients with standing, sitting, or walking as needed.
Personal trainers. Personal trainers have to stay fit to be good role models for their clients. They also demonstrate how to do certain exercises or “spot” clients during weight lifting.
Mechanics. Mechanics have to lift, lower, and manipulate heavy vehicle parts; they also have to reach, bend, and climb under cars.
Lawn technicians and nursery workers. Lawn and plant nursery technicians need to walk throughout properties, greenhouses, and fields in order to care for plants; they also lift and manipulate light to heavy equipment.
Direct support professionals. Direct support professionals (DSPs) provide care for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. This involves physically assisting clients at times and stooping, reaching, or bending in order to do so, or manipulating heavy equipment like wheelchairs. DSPs also take clients out into the community, meaning they do plenty of walking and standing in a variety of environments as well.
Start an Active, Rewarding Career With Progressive Lifestyles
Progressive Lifestyles, Inc. is dedicated to providing innovative support services for people with disabilities. Our mission is to provide supportive and caring residential opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Oakland County, Michigan. Our direct care roles will help you lead an active lifestyle!
A primary focus of our organization is to interact with the individuals we support through the “Culture of Gentleness” model. We seek to create a positive environment to help them feel safe and valued while maximizing praise, limiting demands, maintaining consistent structure, and reducing stress during transitions.
We are hiring! No experience? No worries! You bring a warm heart and we'll teach you how to be a fantastic caregiver plus give you skills that you can use to further your career. Apply now!