Health and how it ties in with your job

I don’t know why others would choose traditionally dangerous jobs like mining and things. I wouldn’t. Maybe someone will chime in and shed light on this.

I don’t have kids. I work a job that is bad for my health in many ways: Emergency Medicine. This job has long hours, patients trying to fight me, noisy, constant state of stress, exposed to blood and contagious disease a lot, flip flop hours between days and nights, messing up my sleep clock, working some weekends and holidays, no designated lunch break, and more.

I could work an *easy* clinic job with regular hours but to me that is less fulfilling. I like keeping my clinical skills. I can suture, reduce a fracture, recognize and treat heart attacks, strokes, and more. I get to work 3-4 days a week instead of 5. I get more days off to travel. The pay is good.

I really focus on wellness outside of work to compensate for this. I plan meals and bring them. Many of my colleagues end up eating poorly or not at all due to the long busy shifts with no break. I always have my healthy food handy. I minimize stress outside work.

Imagine, if someone didn’t work these jobs, who would provide the service they do? When others are home with their family on Xmas or in bed at 3am, I’m working. Some of my colleagues use the non traditional hours to their advantage because it lets them have one parent home with their small children and avoid putting them in daycare.

I don’t think providing for one’s family is a *lame excuse*. Not everyone has the foresight to plan their lives perfectly. It is admirable that one is willing to risk their own health for their family. I don’t think it is wise, necessarily, but I respect it.

nooshi713 wrote: »

I don’t know why others would choose traditionally dangerous jobs like mining and things. I wouldn’t. Maybe someone will chime in and shed light on this.

My SO works in mining and it pays extremely well. Like really ridiculous money. That's the carrot.

It's not nearly as dangerous as it used to be. There are so many safety features mandated by law because of the hazards. The only death that I can think of since he's been there was someone who went into a no-entry zone. With technology now, a lot of the heavy equipment is operated remotely with no one on board.

A good friend of mine works in an industrial manufacturing plant, not nearly the same money, and faces more health hazards from the chemicals and fumes and inadequate ventilation.