Ignoring signs causes failed communication with colleagues, minimal productivity, difficulties critically thinking, more incident rates, and increase medical expense due to untreated illnesses (Frone, Tidwell 2019).
According to Michael R. Frone and M- CO. Tidwell, characteristics of work fatigue are reduced functional capacity, physical, mental, and emotional drain, and that these effects are tied to your workday. Work fatigue is seen as an important personal and work-related outcome that defines the organizations productivity.
Here is a list of health tips to combat work fatigue at your organization:
- Go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
- Exercise regularly.
- Consider using vitamins.
- Eat at regular intervals and consume a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and protein.
- Use your bed primarily just for sleeping (do not surf the web, social media, work in bed, read).
- Before going to bed turn off your television. Exposure to unnatural light cycles may increase risk of depression and confuse your hormones that control your biological clock.
- Avoid drinking caffeine before bedtime.
- Snack healthier: Try fruit smoothies, breakfast muffins, or fruit bowls.
- Drink more water and reduce/ eliminate carbonated drinks with a lot of sugar in them.
- Take needed breaks. Do not work through lunch.
Resources:
The Meaning and Measurement of Work Fatigue: Development and Evaluation of the Three-Dimensional Work Fatigue Inventory - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4505929/
Fatigue, Extended Work Hours, and Workplace Safety, February 2017. Government of Alberta, Labour - https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/psychosocial/fatigue.html?=undefined&wbdisable=true
Lights Out for a Good Night Sleep - https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/lights-out-good-nights-sleep
