Whenever the topic involves manual labour, almost everyone has a negative perception of it. Some would say it’s outdated since we live in a digital world. Others would think that people who do that kind of work weren’t able to secure a college degree, which is why they’re doing manual labour.
But if you think about it, doing manual labour has many benefits that working in an office can’t give. Getting a workout from performing your tasks is just one. Imagine installing a piston pump on a regular basis, for example. If that’s not enough, here are some more benefits of manual labour.
Reduces the risk of obesity
Science has proven that sitting behind a desk almost every day is dangerous to your health. People who work all day in an office are at more risk of developing obesity, which can lead to diabetes and heart disease. On top of that, they are also more likely to have bad posture, which can lead to other health risks.
On the other hand, if you’re constantly on your toes, lifting things, you’re stimulating your muscles and cardiovascular system more than when you’re working in front of a computer. Try looking at some of the construction workers around you, or those lifting pipes, hammering nails, and laying down cement.
Improves sleep
People who perform manual labour often have better sleep, as well. It’s because the work that they do is physically demanding, so after a long day, their bodies are tired and yearning to go to sleep. Their minds, meanwhile, aren’t as stressed out as that of someone who works all day managing calls from irate customers.
If your body is tired but your mind is relatively at peace, you’re in a much better position to truly relax. Just because some people don’t perform physically demanding tasks, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re more relaxed. Office workers may sit behind a desk all day, but one of the things that keep them up all night is the stress they experience from irate customers, demanding bosses, and difficult co-workers.
Provides a sense of fulfilment
You might scoff at some people doing manual labour because to your perspective, they don’t seem to be accomplishing much in the grander scheme of things. But even though welders, brick layers, and plumbers don’t get to boast about closing a $5-million deal every day, these people still have a smile on their faces after finishing each task.
It’s because the physical demands of their work lead to a sense of accomplishment. Remember when you had to fix something on your own, like a bicycle chain or a broken fence? Didn’t you feel like you were the king of the world when you fixed that fence?
Somehow, it’s the same thing that happens to manual labourers. Although what they do can’t be construed as hugely impactful to the community, they still find satisfaction in what they do. That’s the beauty of manual labour: it may be simple but it still gives you a real sense of accomplishment.