Friday Follower - Audra

No, John Travolta is not our blog follower this week but read on to see how he fits into this post. However, we do feature somebody from outside the craft and design scene as lots of different people read this blog (thanks).

Audra Starkey is a veteran shift worker and we could all benefit from her extensive knowledge on how to combat fatique and live a healthier life. Audra shares some great tips and information on her blog, The Healthy Shift Worker. Let's find out more from Audra.

1. You have some great tips that can be used by all of us who work long hours. What inspired you to start writing a blog?
Well, as a 17 year shift work veteran - I certainly know what it's like to struggle with working crazy, long and irregular hours and all of the side effects that go along with it. Things like constant fatigue and tiredness, sleep deprivation, stress, weight issues, having no energy to exercise and to constantly getting sick all of the time are just some of the things that shift workers struggle with every single day. And I've certainly "been there and done that" over the years.

But after 13 years of struggling I decided to make it my business to research ways to improve my own health so that I could actually function at work and not have to resort to quitting my job! And after years of research I decided to put what I had found into writing in a Free Report titled - 'Why Shift Workers Are Prone to Tiredness, Ill Health and Unhappiness - And What You Can Do to Fix It!' - to help other people that were having similar struggles that I was having. The blog has simply become an extension of my free report.

2. Do you spent a lot of time researching your topics?
Absolutely. I am an avid reader and have a bookcase that is quickly out growing itself! I also attend a lot of conferences and workshops (here and abroad), to learn as much as I can on finding ways to improve our health.

When you work long hours it's incredibly easy not to look after yourself. So my aim is to motivate, inspire and empower people to take responsibility for their own health because without good health - you have nothing.

3. What is your best tip for overcoming tiredness even when you have slept?
So many people confuse thirst with hunger and tend to just grab something sweet to eat to give themselves a pick me up. But one of the best, and yet simplest ways to overcome fatigue is to drink more water. Now this does not include copious amounts of coffee and energy drinks - as they are just full of sugar and caffeine, and only end up making you feel even more tired later on.

I will use an example of a plant to help explain. You see, if you don't water a plant often enough it will start to wilt, and that's exactly what happens to you if you don't drink enough water. You end up feeling deflated and constantly tired all of the time.

So you just need to keep drinking plenty of water - and snack on some fruit in between (because fruit is made up mostly of water) - and you'll be feeling a heck of a lot more energized during the day.

4. What are your future plans for "The Healthy Shift Worker"?
Actually I'm about to launch a new website which will include not only my blog, but an extensive list of some of my best tips and resources to help people cope with working crazy, long and irregular hours.

I'm also writing a book which will give shift workers and anyone who suffers from constant fatigue and tiredness - even more tips and tricks to help them to 'Beat the Shift Work Blues'.

And I also plan to launch my own consulting company where I will facilitate workshops for shift working organizations to help their employees.

5. Is there something interesting about you that you could share and that isn't common knowledge?
A few years ago I got to meet John Travolta in person at a customer service awards night in Sydney. As you can see from the photo I was able to get 'up close and personal' with him and have a bit of a chat. He was very down to earth, incredibly polite and courteous - plus exceptionally good eye candy :)

Thanks Audra, I certainly need to start drinking more water and agree that John Travolta is good eye candy indeed.