In the world of flooring professionals, the job’s demands extend far beyond the meticulous installation of flooring products, including managing the chain of custody from the forest to the floor. Achieving personal and professional success requires the development of a robust foundation of personal, physical, and mental well-being. Flooring professionals navigate a unique terrain that presents specific mental and physical challenges. I will delve into managing the physical and mental strains inherent in this profession.
Mental Health Matters
The flooring industry often involves working with tight deadlines, meeting client expectations, and working with intricate projects. Maintaining mental and physical health is paramount in creating a workable foundation. Flooring professionals need to establish regular breaks in their workday to refresh their minds and bodies. Embracing mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing or short meditation can be invaluable for managing stress during hectic workdays.
Anxiety Management
Anxiety can be a constant companion in all flooring professions. To manage anxiety effectively, I recommend setting realistic goals, breaking down large projects into smaller tasks, and celebrating achieving milestones once those goals are achieved. Open communication with your clients about their project timelines and expectations can help alleviate both mental and physical stress. I further suggest maintaining open and honest communications with your co-workers.
Physical Strains and Pains
The physical demands of working in the flooring industry are undeniable. Constant kneeling, bending, and lifting can take a toll on the body. We must learn to prioritize physical economics in the workplace. Wearing quality safety equipment also can reduce the impact on the joints of the body significantly.
Maintaining a program of regular stretching exercises before and after work is a must to help prevent muscle and joint injuries.
Hydration and Nutrition
Staying adequately hydrated often is overlooked, but it is essential for maintaining proper energy levels and optimum overall health. I suggest flooring professionals keep filtered water bottles readily available and take short breaks for personal hydration. Additionally, it is beneficial to maintain a balanced diet rich in nutrients that support both physical and mental well-being.
Regular Exercise
It is very beneficial for our mental and physical well-being to exercise regularly outside of work hours. This will help maintain optimum levels of overall health. Flooring professionals also can benefit from activities that counterbalance their profession’s physical/mental demands. Suggested physical exercises may include swimming, yoga, or strength training, enhancing physical fitness and contributing to our overall mental resilience.
Flooring professionals navigate a unique terrain that presents specific mental and physical challenges.
- Mental Health Matters: Embracing mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing or short meditation can be invaluable for managing stress during hectic workdays.
- Anxiety Management: Open communication with your clients about their project timelines and expectations can help alleviate both mental and physical stress.
- Physical Strains and Pains: Wearing quality safety equipment can reduce the impact on the joints of the body.
- Hydration and Nutrition: Keep filtered water bottles readily available and take short breaks.
- Regular Exercise: Exercise regularly outside of work hours to maintain optimum levels of overall health.
- Adequate Rest: Create comfortable sleep environments and prioritize restful sleep.
- Establishing Boundaries: Establishing a healthy work-life balance contributes significantly to your mental and physical well-being.
Adequate Rest
Ensuring adequate rest is paramount for all individuals who work in a profession that demands long hours and intense focus. Quality sleep is essential for our bodies’ physical recovery and mental sharpness. It’s essential to establish a consistent sleep routine. We can do this by creating comfortable sleep environments and prioritizing restful sleep. I wear an electronic wrist device to monitor my daily activities and sleep patterns.
Establishing Boundaries
Another way to prevent physical and mental burnout is to set clear boundaries between work and personal life. Establishing a healthy work-life balance contributes significantly to your mental and physical well-being.
In conclusion, functioning as a successful flooring professional requires much more than mastering the various technicalities of the trade. It also requires a holistic approach to maintain health and wellness. I have spent the past 55 years of my life learning to prioritize my mental and physical health, managing challenges associated with the flooring profession.
My father was a flooring professional and an inspiration for me to advance personally and professionally. I married my high school sweetheart 56 years ago. Together, we have one daughter, three grown grandchildren, and two beautiful great-grandchildren.
My current daily routine includes working as a third-party independent flooring inspector, practicing chair yoga for seniors, walking outdoors, eating close to a Mediterranean diet, visiting with friends, and volunteering when and where I am needed. I have been a part of a book writing class for the past two years (good luck with that). I travel the country speaking at medical hypnosis conferences. I have been a board certified integrative medical hypnotherapist for the past 25 years.
Michael Longshore is an NWFA Certified Wood Flooring Inspector and Certified Sales Advisor, and the owner of A&M Enterprises in Denton, Texas. Outside of the wood flooring industry, Longshore is an International Certification Board of Clinical Hypnotherapy (ICBCH) Certified Professional Hypnotist and life and wellness coach. Learn more at justrelaxhypnosis.com.
