How to Break the Cycle?

[KeepOnTruckin]

The main thing I do is try to get a real 6 to 8 hour sleep at least 2 nights a week. I feel better the next day and any injuries or sicknesses I have contracted are given a chance to heal.

[ruinexplorer]

Now that I work on a permanent show, I have things a little easier, but I still stick to being prepared. When I work I have a few things with me at all times: my tools, something to do (book), and something to eat (healthy). Rest is the best medicine. When your body is tired, it can't work right and will continue to worsen. I learned over the years how to fall asleep quickly so that I can power nap during break times (be sure to let someone know where you are and have some sort of alarm to wake you up). Eating healthy is the key (vitamins are great, but there's some question about differences in the vitamins such as natural D from the sun versus vitamin supplement). Drink brewed tea instead of soda, avoid artificial sweeteners (including high fructose corn syrup), avoid fast food, those kind of things. Don't feel obligated to go out with the crew after work when working long hours. Sleepy driving can be more dangerous than drunk driving.

So, when you ask how to break the cycle, is that how to break being sick or how to learn to say "no" to work?

[MrsFooter]

Originally Posted by ruinexplorer

So, when you ask how to break the cycle, is that how to break being sick or how to learn to say "no" to work?

I meant how to return to full health when you're continuously working unhealthy hours before your body has gotten a chance to return to full strength. Saying 'no' to work, I'm afraid, isn't really an issue.

I'm currently employed as Head Electrician for a good-sized roadhouse theatre, so anytime there in an event in the space, I'm expected to be there. As anyone who's been part of a tour to any extent knows, these days are long, often beginning at 9am and not ending until close to midnight, and we've got shows in the space at *least* 5 days a week, if not more. So it's not really like I can graciously turn down a job because I'm over-worked; if lights turn on in the space, my bum has to be there, too.

Luckily, I work for a boss for whom my health and well-being is a priority, and encouraged me to take the time off I needed. I have also worked very hard to ensure that I'm *not* irreplaceable, making sure that my co-workers know how to run the rig and making things very user friendly so that if I do need to stay at home, someone can easily step in and run things.

That being said, after three days at home, I'm still going back into work before I'm 100% back to health. (We'll say I'm at 80%.) So my question is, going back to the crazy hours and unhealthy lifestyle before I'm back to full-strength, what advice do you have for keeping myself from just getting sick again and again and continuing the cycle?

(The advice so far has been great; I went to Walmart last night and stocked up on vitamins, orange juice, and fresh fruit!)

[jessamarie6]

I think one of the biggest things to do to try to break the cycle is to take it easy at work. You took time off, which is great, but you can't go trying to make up for that time off right away when you get back. You've said yourself you are still at about 80%. If you go in and try to give the job 110% your 80% body will not be able to handle it and you're right back into the cycle. You've trained your crew well, so now is the time to ask a little more of them. Let them know what is going on for you healthwise and maybe lean on them a little more. Something along the lines of "I'm here and I'm going to do as much as I can, but I'm not fully healthy yet and I'm going to need you to help me out a little more than usual and pick up the slack." Hopefully if you've got a good relationship with your crew they will understand when you take a few more breaks than usual and ask them to take on more of the physically demanding tasks.

[Grog12]

Interesting enough this has been a topic at USITT several times and will be again this year

Healthy Technician II 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
This is a follow-up to the very popular session presented at the Louisville and Houston Conferences. The focus of this installment will be stress-relief techniques, exercise, and ergonomics.

[ruinexplorer]

Another thing to try for prevention (or possible re-infection) is to gargle with salt water (or a good antiseptic mouthwash) twice daily for at least 30 seconds at a time. Also swab your nose with a Q-tip dipped in hydrogen peroxide twice daily (or use a saline nasal wash). Since colds are contracted most often through the mouth and nose, this will help you in combatting them. Most often they enter but have to grow in that environment before spreading to the rest of your body. In addition, hot liquids (my grandma used to have me drink hot Jell-O, now I prefer tea) will help keep your mouth clean of infections, but in general, keeping yourself hydrated is very important. Your body needs the extra hydration to help it remove toxins from your body.

If you are already sick, zinc helps your body absorb the vitamin C which will help your body to combat the sickness. Garlic helps your body to produce white blood cells.

If you are sick and have to return to work, play it safe. If your employer knows that you are under the weather and is ok with you being there, they should allow you to avoid certain tasks. Your body will be weakened, so don't exert yourself by unnessesary heavy lifting. Don't climb to heights. Be conscious of your habits to help avoid spreading your cold to the rest of the crew (since you need to depend on them especially). Take your breaks outside in the sunshine (or in the lobby if sunlight is coming in and it's too cold outside). Rest whenever possible.