The maritime industry offers several exciting career paths, but challenges to both physical and mental health come with that excitement. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue these pathways, but it’s essential to be informed and learn how to mitigate the risks to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling life in your marine career.
Pay Attention to Diet and Exercise
Whether you’re on the open ocean or dry land, you’ll need to pay attention to your diet and exercise. Even though your job is physical, you still have to maintain a baseline of physical activity to keep your mind and body healthy. Choosing a healthy diet will also factor into your overall well-being.
Always Keep Safety in Mind
Safety should always be a top priority. Working in the maritime industry means additional hazards and more common industrial workplace concerns. You need to be comfortable working around water, electricity, and machines. Learning water safety is a good idea, along with general workplace safety. You should also be certified in first aid.
Maintain Social Interaction
When you’re at sea, there are additional concerns about loneliness. You can be gone for months and unable to see your loved ones while you’re away. But it’s critical that you maintain your social interaction with the people around you and communicate with your friends and family back home.
Engage in Mentally Stimulating Activities
One challenge of life at sea is the monotony of the daily grind. When you look out at the ocean, you see an endless horizon, which can affect your mental health. One way to combat this is to engage in mentally stimulating activities. This could be reading, playing chess, or using various apps on your phone whenever you have some downtime.
Consider Healthy Stress Relief
Your marine life can also be stressful, so it’s essential to have a handful of healthy stress relief outlets. Some ideas include:
- Deep breathing exercises
- Meditation and mindfulness
- Listening to music
- Exercise
- Talking to a counselor
Do you want to know more about finding a job in the maritime industry? Contact the team at Hutco to see what we’re working on today.