Apprenticeships are a great way to learn new skills while getting paid, but they can be challenging at times, especially when it comes to managing your workload, studying, socialising and everything in between! Staying mentally and physically healthy during these busy times is so important, have a look at our top tips below.
Find a routine that works for you
Having a plan set in place will help you feel more productive, more organised, and more efficient. This will ease any extra pressure or stress, therefore helping your mental and physical well-being.
Talk to someone if you are struggling
Getting to know yourself is an important step in being able to take care of your mental and physical health. If you've been feeling down lately or you're feeling overwhelmed with your workload, it may be worth talking to someone. It could be your friends, family or a professional if needed.
Make sure you are sleeping well
Every night, try going to bed at a reasonable time so you have a minimum of 8 hours sleep. It can be hard to switch off at the end of the day, so maybe you can try some meditation, staying away from your phone or maybe listening to soothing sounds. Whatever works for you!
Having a work-life balance
This is one of the most important things you can do in order to stay mentally and physically healthy as an apprentice. Your workload can be quite intense, but make sure you switch off when your working day officially comes to an end. If you need to get some apprenticeship work done, have a break first and set an hour or two to get it done (avoid doing it late at night before going to bed). To help you achieve a healthy balance between work and your personal life, maybe get a diary planner so you can plan each day out. If it’s written down, you can clearly see how much time you are spending on your work.
Drinking enough water and having a good diet
When you’re working hard, you can easily skip a meal and forget to drink water, but it’s something you should prioritise as it impacts how you function everyday. A good way to remember to eat and drink throughout the day is by setting reminders. On average you should have around 2 litres of water everyday, so maybe every half an hour you can remind yourself to drink some water. When it comes to your diet, you can prepare meals the day before and write a schedule at the start of every week so you know what you are going to eat.
Taking breaks and getting fresh air
Whether you’re working from home or in the office, take regular breaks when your work becomes overwhelming. Additionally, step outside during your lunch break and get some fresh air! A little walk could be just what you need or maybe have a quick workout if you have enough time.
Ensuring you keep active
Physical activity has many benefits for your mind and body, for example when taking part in physical activity your body releases chemicals in your brain that makes you feel good. This leads to a boost in your self-esteem and it helps productivity & concentration. Moreover, it will help you sleep better which means overall you are feeling really positive and happy. You don’t have to over-do it, but everyday make sure you move around a bit. It could be going for a walk, doing some stretches or something more active like running or going to the gym.
Following this guidance will hopefully help you feel in control, which should make your apprenticeship journey better and much healthier. Remember that being an apprentice is a great way to learn new skills while earning money, but it can also present some challenges. The most important thing is that you're honest with yourself about any mental or physical health issues that have affected you or that you're dealing with now. Once you figure out a routine, then it's all about balancing your work life and personal life in order to achieve a healthy lifestyle.
