Page 24 - Demo

22 6 MINUTES WITH ... FROM PAGE 21 may already know, among many other neurotransmitters that are released when we exercise, our bodies release endorphins, which trigger a boost in mood and overall wellbeing. Aside from the biological side of things, however, getting yourself moving and working towards improving yourself can instil in you a sense of purpose, direction and motivation. Why is it important for retail pharmacy assistants to maintain health and fitness? How will this help them in their working and day-to-day lives? It’s especially important for retail pharmacy assistants to maintain their health and fitness. When you’re constantly spending your days looking out for others, you need to also make sure that you’re being looked after, too. It all starts with you. Because if you’re not taking care of yourself, then how can you show up and be your best for everyone else who needs you too? Not just for customers at work, but for your family, friends, relationships. You’ve likely heard \[the advice\], ‘Put your own oxygen mask on before helping others’, for an emergency on a plane. It can be easy to put others’ wellbeing before our own, especially as retail pharmacy assistants. But in order for us to truly thrive and do the best job that we can, we need to ensure that all our systems are in check, too. What sort of advice can pharmacy assistants be giving to their customers around health and fitness? As per the Australian Department of Health’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines, it’s recommended that adults (18-64 years) accumulate 150 to 300 minutes (2.5 to five hours) of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. With that being said, any physical activity is still better than none at all. Pharmacy assistants could be well placed to suggest ideas on how customers might be able to work physical activity into their days, such as getting off the lift one floor earlier and taking the stairs the rest of the way, or riding a bike to the train station instead of driving, or walking to the grocery store, etc – as well as encouraging customers to ‘eat the rainbow’, suggesting that different colours and variations of whole/ minimally processed foods will ensure a diverse and nutritious diet. What’s your advice to pharmacy assistants who might have big career goals? What’s your advice around achieving goals, whether personal health/fitness goals or career goals? In the same way as previously mentioned, do one thing every day that’s going to make you a better person tomorrow. It’s so important to set goals for ourselves, whether that be personal or career based. But it’s also important that we create realistic action plans for ourselves to make those big, dreamy goals a true reality. Committing to one small thing every day that will move us forward towards our goals is the best thing that we can start with. What’s next for you? What are your plans for 2020? I want to make holistic health and fitness accessible for everyone, so that’ll include more brainstorming, planning and creating new ways to empower and educate others in this space. 2020 has been a crazy year so far, but I hope that, through these challenges we’re all facing globally, I can help contribute to the conversation that health and fitness is a number one priority, not just now, but always. RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • MAY 2020 To learn more about Ophie’s health and fitness coaching, visit: ophieho.com