Health Tips Archives

March is National Nutrition Month, and while the focus is on making informed food choices, the reality for traveling technicians is that eating healthy isn’t always easy. Fast food is convenient. Gas stations are everywhere. And when time is tight and budgets are stretched thin, a dollar menu burger is a lot more accessible than a fresh, home-cooked meal.

At the same time, food costs are rising. Grocery bills are climbing higher every month, and yet there’s a massive push to make food both healthier and more affordable. The goal is good, but for those working long hours on the road, change isn’t happening fast enough. The question remains: How do you eat well when you don’t have the time, the money, or the kitchen to make it happen?

The Challenge of Healthy Eating on the Road

If you’re a FlexTrades technician, chances are you’re bouncing from one assignment to the next, working long shifts in unfamiliar places. That means no regular grocery trips, no stocked pantry, and limited access to fresh ingredients. Instead, you’re left with whatever the nearest convenience store, drive-thru, or hotel vending machine has to offer.

And while it’s easy to grab a greasy burger or a gas station hot dog, the reality is that your food choices impact everything. Energy. Focus. Strength. Even your ability to handle stress. If you’re running on fast food and energy drinks, you’re going to feel it. And not in a good way.

Making Smart Choices When Options Are Limited

Eating healthy doesn’t mean following some strict, unrealistic diet. It means making small changes that actually fit your lifestyle.

When You’re Stuck With Fast Food

Grilled over fried. Always.
Ditch the soda. Water is free. Iced tea is better.
Add veggies where you can. It’s not a salad, but extra lettuce and tomato are better than nothing.
Skip the mayo and heavy sauces. They add unnecessary calories without adding much flavor.

When You’re Grocery Shopping for a Short Stay

Go for shelf-stable, high-protein options. Think nuts, peanut butter, canned tuna, and protein bars.
Stock up on easy-to-eat fruits. Apples, bananas, and oranges travel well and don’t need refrigeration.
Greek yogurt over regular. More protein. Less sugar. Better for you all around.
Oatmeal packets. Cheap, filling, and only need hot water.

When You Have a Hotel Room With a Microwave

Microwaveable brown rice + rotisserie chicken + pre-cut veggies. That’s dinner in five minutes.
Eggs. Scramble them in a mug. It’s not gourmet, but it works.
Frozen veggies. Steam them in the bag for a quick side dish.

Superfoods That Keep You Fueled

You don’t need some overpriced organic smoothie to get the benefits of superfoods. The best ones are simple, affordable, and available almost anywhere.

Oats: Fiber, protein, and easy to prep.
Eggs: Packed with protein, easy to cook.
Nuts & Seeds: Healthy fats, great for snacking.
Greek Yogurt: High in protein, good for digestion.
Leafy Greens: When in doubt, add spinach to whatever you’re eating.
Lean Proteins: Chicken, turkey, fish. Even canned options are solid choices.

Healthy Eating Meets Pop Culture: Food Movies That Inspire Better Choices

March is also award season, and some of the best movies revolve around food. If you’re looking for a little inspiration, these films might just change the way you think about what’s on your plate.

Ratatouille (2007): Proof that simple, fresh ingredients can make the best meals.
Chef (2014): Watch this and try making your own Cuban sandwich.
Julie & Julia (2009): Classic French cooking, but start with an omelet instead of coq au vin.

Why This Matters

At the end of the day, this isn’t about perfection. No one is expecting you to meal prep for a week when you barely have time to grab lunch. But your body is the tool that keeps you working, and what you put into it determines how well it runs. National Nutrition Month is a reminder to make better choices, even if they’re small.

FlexTrades knows the challenges that come with life on the road. We see the hours you put in, the dedication you bring to every job, and the sacrifices you make to keep manufacturing moving. That’s why we’re here to support you… not just in your work, but in your well-being too.

Need more resources for thriving as a traveling technician? Explore the FlexTrades’ blog, and dive in to tools, tips, and career opportunities designed with you in mind.

Whether you’re a night owl or an early bird, we all face the same challenge – waking up in the morning. For many of us, mornings can be a struggle, whether we rise at the break of dawn or in the afternoon due to night shifts. This common difficulty is often attributed to sleep inertia. If you’re one of those who find mornings serene, this article may not be your cup of tea. But for the rest of us, mornings are far from a breeze.

There are various strategies to make mornings more manageable, such as minimizing screen time, avoiding specific foods or drinks, and reducing exposure to unwanted light at night. Similarly, there are steps you can take in the morning to make waking up less daunting, like welcoming natural light as early as possible or changing your alarm tone to something soothing. However, these measures are often insufficient on their own. One of the most effective ways to ease into your mornings and set a positive tone for the day is by establishing a morning routine.

Having a morning routine means you wake up with a clear understanding of what lies ahead. This predictability makes it significantly easier to leave your cozy bed. It becomes a habit; no need to deliberate, and that alone simplifies the process of waking up. When executed correctly, your morning routine can boost your energy, enhance your productivity, and foster a positive outlook throughout the day. Who can resist those benefits, right?

As you contemplate crafting a morning routine, keep a few key considerations in mind. The duration of your routine is entirely up to you, and the activities you include should cater to your individual needs and preferences. Additionally, remember that the time it takes for your routine to become second nature will vary, but the essential part is persevering until it becomes a natural part of your day.

Here are some action items to consider. You can choose to incorporate all of them, a few, or none at all. The important thing is to establish a morning routine. And don’t forget to reassess your routine if, after a period of practice, you find the benefits aren’t outweighing the drawbacks:

Wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
Allow yourself ample time to ease into the day, and savor the first 30-60 minutes at a leisurely pace.
Try to wake up before anyone else, creating a tranquil environment for you, your space, and the day ahead.
Resist the urge to check your phone, calendar, or to-do list. Save these tasks for when you’re feeling the positive and energetic effects of your morning routine.
Consider meditation or soothing music.
Incorporate some light stretching or engage in a full-blown workout – just something to get your body moving differently.
Dedicate a moment to yourself with a cup of coffee, tea, or even an energy drink, while you read, enjoy nature, or practice mindfulness.
Explore the invigorating effects of a cold shower.

We trust that you’ll find these suggestions valuable and that they contribute to more productive (or, at the very least, easier) mornings. However, morning routines are not the sole habits that can enhance your day. If you’re looking to make habit-building a routine in itself, consider these tips from the CDC as well.

Work/life balance matters — we’ve even hosted a webinar about it. But for those who travel for work, especially in the skilled trades, striking that balance isn’t always easy. Some of our FlexTrades technicians are on the road for weeks or even months at a time. That level of travel comes with real challenges, especially for anyone with kids, families, or responsibilities waiting back home.

So how do you make it work?

We asked our most experienced traveling professionals, and here’s what they had to say. Whether you’re new to the road or a seasoned road warrior, these tips can help you find your own version of balance.

Before the Project: Set the Stage

Communicate Clearly

Talk with your project manager about job expectations, timelines, and challenges
Keep your family informed about your location, schedule, and availability
Be proactive about updates. If your flight gets delayed, let people know — don’t leave them wondering

Use a Calendar

Request time off early for important dates like weddings, graduations, or concerts
Even if you can’t attend an event in person, you can still follow up and ask about it
Put family milestones on your calendar so you don’t forget to check in

Plan for Home Coverage

Who handles emergencies while you’re gone?
Who’s feeding the dog, checking the mail, or watering the garden?
Plan ahead and have a backup for every critical task

During the Project: Stay Connected

Use Technology to Your Advantage

FaceTime. Zoom. Snapchat. Whatever the platform, use it.

A nightly call still goes a long way, but real-time updates, shared photos, and group messages can make miles feel shorter.

One FlexTrades technician said his family stays connected through a shared Snapchat group with his four daughters. “It lets me stay involved on their schedule, not just mine.”

Stay Involved from Afar

Ask your spouse or friend to livestream a game or concert
Use apps like Zoom or Houseparty for family game nights
Help with homework, celebrate wins, or just chat — even from a hotel room

Share the Trip

Send a photo of something interesting. Buy a souvenir. Bring back something small — a shell, a postcard, even hotel shampoo. These tokens remind your loved ones that they’re still part of your journey.

Some FlexTrades techs even have family or friends visit during longer assignments. It’s a great way to make the job feel more like home — even for a weekend.

After the Project: Reconnect and Reflect

Debrief and Improve

Spend your first night back simply reconnecting
The next night, talk through what worked and what didn’t
Make a plan for how you’ll handle things better next time

Write it down so it doesn’t get forgotten in the rush of the next trip.

Use Your Perks

You’ve earned rewards — use them.

Got hotel or airline points? Book a trip with your family
Have extra gear or swag from a project? Bring it home for your kids

When the benefits of your travel are shared, the time away gets a little easier to accept.

Embrace Imbalance

There’s no such thing as a perfect 50/50 balance between work and life.

As one of our technicians said:

“Ninety days on the road and thirty days at home might seem out of balance, but when I’m home, I’m 100% there. I take the kids to school. I volunteer. I do projects. I make that time count.”

Sometimes balance isn’t about the day or the week. It’s about the season. What matters most is being intentional with the time you have — wherever you are.

Want More?

If this helped you think about work/life balance differently, check out our Road Warrior Webinar to learn more about what life is really like as a traveling technician with FlexTrades.

Still have questions? Or maybe you have a blog idea you want us to cover? Send your thoughts to the FlexTrades Writing Team — we’d love to hear from you.