How healthy are you? You go to bed on time, you eat the right foods and have cheat days on the weekends, and you try to work out regularly. So, all in all, you’d probably say you’re doing great wellness-wise. If you’re proud of what you’ve achieved as an adult, and your friends constantly wonder at the successful glow around your body. But is your job really as good for you as you first thought? If not, you might look for one of these more active jobs instead.
So About That Desk Job…
Working a 9 to 5 job, 5 times a week, and doing overtime whenever it’s necessary, isn’t historically considered a healthy way to live. Productive, maybe. But healthy? Your wellness isn’t exactly front and center of your company’s priorities!
That’s why a lot of people are on the lookout for healthier job sectors, and joining them in their thousands. And if you’re someone who feels like sitting at a desk all day isn’t doing you a world of good, here’s just a few of those active jobs you might want to think about.
1. A Fitness Trainer is a Great Example of Active Jobs
Being a personal trainer means you have to be in the prime of health. That’s because you need to be an example to whoever hires you and uses your services. Plus, you need to be able to keep up with and advise any prospective clients. You also need to know how to safely lift weights for muscle toning and strength training, and you need to know what speed is right for your client’s current skill level on the treadmill at the gym. Overall, you need to be a fit and a knowledgeable person.
If you’re a fitness trainer, then you’re always on top of your game. Your work lifestyle encourages you to go out for runs in the morning or swims in the evenings. It encourages you to go to bed early, and then get up early the next day. It’s obviously very active!
2. Active Jobs in Healthcare
We all hear the long hours anyone in the medical sector can work regularly, with very few breaks to keep up them on their toes. But depending on the kind of job you get in the healthcare sector, you can have a very stable job that still gives you plenty of time for yourself away from work.
To figure out what’s good for you, here’s a lot of Medical Programs you can choose to train in, and rather than being an on-call nurse or doctor, you can choose to go more niche within your area of qualification. For example, you might want to work as a primary care physician.
Or, a rehabilitation nurse can be another of the active jobs to suit you. It’s a degree that’s still highly sought after, but you have more regular hours to your schedule, rarely work overtime, and still have access to various healthcare benefits.
Not to mention, the more in the know you are about your own body and its potential ailments, the more likely you are to spot a problem. That means you can spot solutions to help others a lot quicker than someone without your knowledge.
3. Gardener
People who work outside daily are spending their lives as evolution intended. After all, human bodies are made to soak up the sun and enjoy a good breeze. Plus, being outside in nature, surrounded by all the sounds and sights, can do wonders for your mental health.
Furthermore, gardeners usually are self-employed, so the hours you work are up to you. And you can reign over the local neighborhood.
So, if you’re digging down in the soil, to till it and plant all kinds of interesting flowers and nutritious foods, and you’re getting paid for it too, you’ll feel very good about yourself. Sure, there’s a lot of bending down and heavy lifting, but that’s something a body can easily get used to, more so than sitting for 8 hours a day.
How Well does Work Leave You Feeling?
If you’re someone who’s looking for better health in your life, while still getting on with your day job, then think about your career choices. After all, if you find active jobs you love, you’ll never work a day in your life!
i knew about the first two but the last one gardener is a health job i never thought of. i’ve seen lots of trainers and healthcare service re doing great in their job but for mental health i never thought about doing gardening will help thanks for such informative article. now i’ll release my depression and anxiety by watering flowers and digging seeds for new flowers
Gardening is a great activity for mental health, yes! So pleased you’ll try it :)
I have a desk job, but ever since I inherited my old director’s stand-up desk, it’s made such a huge difference! I also got an anti-fatigue mat last year, and I wish we had invested in that piece originally. I stand at my desk for nearly all of the 8-9 hours I typically work, five days a week. The only time I truly sit is when I eat lunch, but that is maybe 15-30 minutes tops.
I’m debating getting a stand-up desk, Laura Beth! Good to hear about your positive experiences with it.
It’s been awesome for me. I can’t wait to have one here at home.
Love that feedback. I’ve also considered swapping the chair at my current sitting desk for an exercise ball to force me to have better posture all day ;)
I’ve heard that works, too.
Ohh I worked as a journalist for 10 years and it was a pretty active job as I was out and about every day! Momming is also super active lol! Writing these days however is mostly from my desk so I might have to go to gym ugg
I sit a lot at my desk so going to the gym really helps my back ;)
These jobs certainly will keep people moving! I worked in the leisure (parks and rec) industry for 35 years, providing services for folks to participate in every kind of activity imaginable. I had to walk the walk though, since I worked from behind a desk. After retiring from the day job 4 years ago, I now teach to parks and recreation majors…I stand and move around in the classroom, not to mention walking around campus. Can’t complain!
Great to hear how you transitioned to teaching ~ well done, Terri!
Exercise should be top of doctors prescription list for all patients with mental health and addiction. It changes life’s and puts total power in our own hands xx
Well said!
Even though I´m a man I will comment, but I´m the boss though…… na, good tips and for me now that I´m sober, exercise is not only key for my body it is specially important for my mind. I have to, I push myself, every day to go running. It´s really important for me and for my mental standing with the alcohol addiction. I have to run…… like a gazelle!
Great to hear about your exercise, you gazelle you!
You…… I still love you.