Things that factor into poor health in a profession include hazards, mental and physical health, stress, long hours, and depressing work environments. It has been found that companies who invest in the wellbeing of their employees have healthier and happier workers.

According to Fox News, the 8 professions with the worst health (not in order):

1. Firefighter/Police officer
2. Desk jockey
3. Manual laborer
4. Lawyer
5. Healthcare shift workers
6. Service and retail employees
7. Enlisted soldier
8. Transportation worker

I was surprised to see people who sit at their desk on the list. Although I really shouldn’t have been that surprised come to think of it. I see a sharp decline in my health when I spend too much time working at my desk. I slow down on my exercise. Not only that but my participation at home goes down and that causes stress. I don’t take the time to prepare all the healthy foods I normally eat.

Other professions like public service, firefighter, police officer and then manual laborers and enlisted soldier are just obvious. They are put in harm’s way all the time, which of course will increase stress and anxiety. It is really important that they take the time to care for themselves because they will stand up to physical pressure better and make better and quicker decisions if they are healthy.

I know enough lawyers to understand this one, they bill out hourly and work a ton of hours. They also live with a lot of stress, maybe not physical, but definitely mental.

Truck drivers, without question, have one of the unhealthiest professions there is. They sit all day, eat at rest stops, sleep weird hours, are subject to dangerous situations and accidents and are under a tremendous amount of stress. I was very surprised to learn that truck drivers average expected life span is 61.

Service and retail employees work long hours on their feet and deal with a surprising amount of stress.

There are a lot of other professions that could go either way. I think of mothers of teenagers for example. That can be one of the most stressful times of your life. You think of teachers as having a pretty stress free existence, unless they are working with special needs. There are some social workers who go home and vomit every night.

Restaurant workers, especially in the most unhealthy food environments, would be pretty unhealthy as well. They eat the “luxury” foods in big restaurant size portions that are intended for moderation, on a daily basis. They live pretty stressful existence trying to serve the public.

Looking at all this reminds me how lucky I am that I love what I do. The truth is, my profession could be unhealthy too. No matter what you do, if you find a way to put your health first, you are way ahead of the game. It is your choice.

You can make the decision now to do everything it takes to be healthy, fit and happy.

• Get up in the morning and do some kind of exercise.
• Learn what is healthy and eat it.
  Take time to laugh and smile.
• Forgive those you love and live without resentment.
• Be kind and give of yourself to others.
• Take time for prayer.

If you do all these things, you will be healthy and happy.

I want to help you. I offer health coaching as well as lots of free information here. You can choose to work with us in depth and personal or you can just stop by here…or sign up for updates, newsletters and tips. Either way, you owe it to yourself to give yourself the gift of health. Jump in now, you will never, ever be sorry!