{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Economic research & forecasting Economics Housing outlook Economic reports & data Tailored market research Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News and inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Become an apprentice host Hire an apprentice Why host a HIA apprentice? Apprentice partner program Builder & manufacturer program Industry insurance Construction legal expenses insurance Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Planning & safety solutions Building & planning services How can safety solutions help you? Independent site inspections Solutions for your business Contracts Online HIA Tradepass HIA SafeScan Advertise jobs Trusted support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Professional services Industrial relations Member savings Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Fuel savings See all
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes Australian standards Getting it right on site See all Building materials & products Concrete, bricks & walls Getting products approved Use the right products for the job See all Managing your business Dealing with contracts Handling disputes Managing your employees See all Managing your safety Falls from heights Safety rules Working with silica See all Building your business Growing your business Maintaining your business See all Other subjects COVID-19 Getting approval to build Sustainable homes See all
Careers & learning
Careers & learning $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
A rewarding career Become an apprentice Apprenticeships on offer Frequently asked questions Study with us Find a course to suit you Qualification courses Learning on demand A job in the industry Get your builder's licence Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Find jobs
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Join HIA Sign me up How do I become a member? What's in it for me? Mates rates Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom and design hub Get to know us Our members Our people Our partners Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program
Awards & events
Awards & events $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Awards program People & Business Awards GreenSmart Australian Housing Awards Awards winners Regional Award winners Australian Housing Award winners 2023 Australian Home of the Year Enter online Industry events Events in the next month Economic outlook National Conference Events calendar
HIA products
HIA products $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Shop @ HIA Digital Australian Standards Contracts Online Shipping & delivery Purchasing T&Cs See all Products Purchase NCC 2022 Building codes & standards Economic reports Hard copy contracts Guides & manuals
About Contact Newsroom
$vuetify.icons.faTimes
$vuetify.icons.faMapMarker Set my location Use the field below to update your location
Address
Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location

$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Apprentice health and wellbeing

Maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle so you can meet the demands of your apprenticeship.

Starting an apprenticeship can be physically demanding, not to mention stressful, which means it’s important you take care of yourself.

Tips for looking after yourself

Maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle won’t just help you perform your daily activities better, it can help you get more out of life, as well as help you cope with stress and change.

Here are some tips to help you manage the demands placed on you by an apprenticeship:

Food

You need to make sure you’re fuelling your body with healthy and nutritious food to give you the energy to get through the day. Eating healthy food will not only make you feel great, it can save you money.

Exercise

Construction trades can be physically demanding, so you need to understand that the work can be hard and tiring. In the early days of an apprenticeship you may need to do additional exercise to build up your strength and physical capacity. But it’s equally important to listen to your body and not overdo it.

Sleep

Experts recommend eight hours of uninterrupted sleep for adults in order to stave off stress. If you're sleeping poorly on a regular basis, and running a continuous sleep deficit, your working efficiency, and your safety and the safety of others around you will be heavily compromised. 

Water

When the body has too little water the effects can be devastating. Dehydration occurs when the loss of body fluids exceeds the amount of water taken in.
Throughout the day, you lose about two litres of water from your body. If you don’t replace this lost water, it can lead to dehydration, which presents as thirst, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps and dry mouth.

Try to avoid sugary energy drinks. Soft drinks don’t replace the water you lose, and caffeinated energy drinks can actually make dehydration worse by increasing urine production.

Stress

Good stress can help you:

  • feel more alert
  • increase your concentration
  • provide more energy when needed
  • enhance your sensory experience.

All of this can be helpful. But there can be problems when your stress is greater than your ability to handle it.

Here are some of the things you can do reduce and manage stress:

  • Talk to someone – Find someone who will listen without being judgmental. It’s unhelpful to pressure someone to ‘snap out of it’ or ‘harden up’. Speak about any issues you have so you don’t have to endure stressful times alone
  • Relax – Take time out for yourself and do something you enjoy
  • Eat well and get enough sleep
  • Make sure you have a good work/life balance
  • Avoid overuse of alcohol and other drugs

Find support and gather resources to help you cope with the issues affecting you. If you feel you need additional help, talk to your GP or visit headspace or beyondblue.

Share with your network:
More articles on:
{{ tag.label }} {{ tag.label }} $vuetify.icons.faTimes
Find the latest expert advice, guides and much more!

Find an apprenticeship/traineeship


 

See what apprenticeships and traineeships we currently have on offer across Australia.

We offer a wide range of trades including building, plumbing, office administration and much more.

Take a look