Self-care tips for anyone who works in mining

Recruitment
Wellbeing

December 28, 2023

Are you taking time out for the things that matter? Self-care is really important, especially if you’re working FIFO.

Working in mining can be demanding.

Long shifts, time away from home, and the mental load of site life all add up. That’s why practical mining tips for looking after yourself aren’t a “nice to have”, they’re essential.

Whether you’re FIFO or residential, learning a few simple mine survival tips can make a real difference to how you feel on site and when you’re back home.

Self-care isn’t about bubble baths or buzzwords. It’s about staying steady, healthy and switched on so you can keep doing your job safely and sustainably.

With the mining industry operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s easy to lose focus on what's important, and always be “busy” even when you are on R&R. Taking time out is more important than ever. And it's just as important that we support our family, friends and colleagues when they need to take time out, too.

Do any of these mining / FIFO work realities sound familiar?

You’re often the first one in and the last one to leave. (Either you’re “living to work” or you’re “working to live” – if it’s the former, it’s time to prioritise!)
Not taking annual leave throughout the year. (Does your company award a prize for this? My guess is no!)
Heading back to work after R&R and bragging about how many emails you managed or how many hours you worked. (R&R is meant to stand for “rest and recreation”, so it’s time to claim back your time.)

Mining industry employees, protect your time and energy

For many people, this is one of those mine survival tips you only learn the hard way.

Consider this: If you wouldn’t accept a role paying 30% less than your current salary, why are you working for 30% of your time off? Why are you giving more hours than you’re contracted to do?

While many contracts include a component for work outside of standard operational hours, ask your manager for a number of additional hours. Ten per cent extra on a 40-hour week, city-based role may not be too bad. But 10% extra on a two-weeks on, one-week off roster of 168 hours can soon become an extra day and a half.

(I appreciate, of course, that some managers will say they know many people spend a couple of hours or so on personal matters during work time and so doing company work in personal time is just ‘balancing things back up”.)

It’s time to take the time: A practical mining tip that matters

The concept of “balancing things back up” and living a flexible work-life balance may apply under certain circumstances or for certain job types, but it shouldn’t be a blanket rule. It is important to recognise that the process of simply “switching off” is incredibly valuable for most people - and if you are not doing that, you are probably harming yourself.

So why do so many people working in mining sell themselves short on taking time out for self-care?

It is an investment in your capacity to stay on top of your workload, daily life and overall commitments. It is about being the best you can be and ensuring there is time and energy left for the people in your life. After all, as anyone who works in palliative care will tell you, no one ever says they wish they had spent “more time in the office”.

Make a commitment to start today

There are so many physical and emotional problems that can be better managed through finding 15 minutes a day to take care of yourself.

At Home: Mining tips for proper recovery

Eat healthily
Cut back on caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes
Enjoy life’s little moments
Practice mindfulness
Exercise
Make a deal with yourself to take your annual leave
Book a holiday and ensure the next one is booked (even if is just a long weekend) before you return home after this holiday (to give you something to look forward to)
Turn your phone off, or leave it at home if you go out
Turn off your email for a day
Aim to get 7 to 8 hours sleep every night

In the workplace: Survival tips that reduce burnout

Learn to say no
Delegate
Stop micromanaging
Develop your team
Ask yourself ‘is this an essential task?’
Manage your emails (perhaps only checking them twice a day)
Ask yourself ‘is this meeting necessary?’
Don’t discuss, do. You can save a lot of time by getting on with things that need to be done!

For many professionals, learning these mining tips early can make the difference between burning out and building a long, sustainable career.

Having a healthy and balanced approach to life ensures you are a well-rounded, balanced leader who is focused and on the ball. You’re able to manage the curveballs thrown your way. And believe it or not, that’s what your team want as well, particularly in high-pressure environments such as mining.

Time to look for a new mining job? MPI has been a mining industry recruitment specialist for over 30 years. Register with us here and let us help you find the right job.

by Dan Hatch

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