Canadian Paramedicine is an informative and progressive magazine complete with numerous research articles beneficial to EMS providers. One such article entitled “Eat, Sleep and be healthy-a paramedic’s guide to healthier shift work,” outlines some of the risks associated with working outside of the traditional 8-hour daytime schedule. More importantly, it provides evidence based suggestions for healthy eating, staying fit, and developing better sleeping habits.

Quotes from the article:

 “Exercise can enhance alertness at work in addition to increasing neural activity and clinical performance. Blocking out 20 minutes (or more) prior to a shift will boost their mood and combat fatigue while working.”

 

“Prepare meals for a number of days  for quick and easy access. Experiment with slow-cookers or freeze portion sizes of healthy meals. Pack healthy snacks such as prepared fruit and easy-to-eat vegetable pieces like baby carrots and celery with hummus, or a small container of mixed unsalted nuts and seeds.”

Find the article in its entirety below:

Eat, sleep and be healthy – a paramedic’s guide to healthier shift work