Finding the perfect work life balance is more about having a job that gives you free time, it’s also about finding a role that is going to benefit your long term health. There’s plenty of opportunities out there that get you away from the typical 9 to 5 office job and get a role that allows you to move around more. While being a personal trainer or firefighter are roles that keep your physical health high, they aren’t always achievable for the average person.

Sometimes the most unexpected jobs can be great for your physical and mental health, allowing you to prioritise both your work and real life development simultaneously. This guide will explore these types of roles and give you some advice on those that are achievable for the every day person without having to be at peak physical fitness all the time. Continue reading to find out more.

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Health Improving Job Roles

Gardener

Gardening and landscaping are roles that can be great for improving your health, as they can help with your flexibility with you having to reach both high and low areas to plant, grow and maintain plants. The work is hands-on and outdoors, offering exposure to sunlight, which will boost Vitamin D and nature, which can help with reducing anxiety. The repetitive nature of tasks like pruning, weeding and planting acts as a form of mindfulness, pulling attention away from internal worries and rooting it in the present moment. It’s a job that prevents you from sitting down or staying in the same position for long periods of time, so you can be constantly moving around for a better blood flow.

Parcel Carrier

Delivery drivers will be sitting down for large parts of the day, but they still have to go door to door to deliver parcels or letters. These can range from houses that are a few steps away from their truck to walking up several flights of stairs to deliver parcels to apartments. It can be a great way to get paid while getting in all your steps for the day, keeping both your work and life in balance. With HGV ADR training, you can drive larger trucks and transport pallets of heavier goods, which will work your muscles when you go to deliver them.

Youth Worker

Youth work makes a significant contribution to young people’s health, well-being, and personal development, which can be incredibly fulfilling for the worker and make them feel good. This positive boost can be great for improving their mental health, as they feel they are making a difference. Whether you’re watching over a recreation centre, playground or a shared common space, the job involves significant periods of standing, walking and pacing, which boosts daily step counts and maintains cardiovascular health.

Pet Sitter

Looking after people’s pets for money can be a very fun yet rewarding job that can allow you to get paid while doing something you enjoy. Pet sitting can be great for both your physical and mental health, as taking care of a pet that needs constant outside time means you will go multiple walks a day, making it perfect for your cardiovascular health. It can also be great for your mental wellbeing to be around a pet like a dog or cat, as they offer unconditional companionship.

Chef

A professional kitchen is a high-intensity, physical environment. Chefs spend up to 10-12 hours a day standing and moving rapidly, often pivoting and carrying heavy pots or trays. This environment promotes endurance, core stability and functional strength gained from lifting and reaching under pressure. It’s a highly demanding, non-traditional physical workout that requires continuous alertness and fast movement. While it can be intense for some people, if you’re passionate about cooking it can be the perfect combo.

Stage Hand

Becoming a paid stagehand can be very rewarding and beneficial for your health. The role usually involves varied functional fitness. Stagehands are constantly required to lift heavy props, climb ladders, carry equipment and rapidly assemble or dismantle elaborate sets. This results in excellent full-body functional strength, agility and cardiovascular bursts, as they are often working under extreme time constraints. The work constantly challenges balance and coordination in ways that are far more engaging than traditional resistance training. It can also be great for safeguarding your mind, as you see your hard work pay off in the form of a musical or production.

Final Thoughts

When choosing a career, it’s important to take into consideration how much it’s going to affect your day-to-day life. Having a role that improves your mental and physical well-being can be very beneficial, giving you a career that pays well while keeping your health in good condition. It’s important not to deviate too far from what you enjoy, either, as this can be the key to your overall health, whether it’s taking up a HGV ADR training role or a humble pet sitter.