The 3 Biggest Mistakes Firefighters Make Coming Off A Busy Shift.

You might think the most dangerous part of a firefighter’s job is on shift, but it’s often what happens at home.

Firefighters work 24 hours straight, then have 48 off.

During those 24 hours, we clean, drill, shop for food, and run calls—sometimes 7 or 8 in a single shift, often after midnight.

The day after these busy shifts is when we do the most damage to our health by making these three mistakes:

Relying On Caffeine

Too much coffee after a sleepless shift spikes cortisol and, combined with exhaustion, overstimulates your nervous system.

This ruins precious recovery sleep. Instead, go home and rest for a few hours, and try to cut caffeine by noon.

Pushing Too Hard in the Gym

Poor sleep plus intense workouts is a recipe for burnout.

Your body is already taxed, so opt for low-intensity activities like walks, yoga, or light lifting (below 60% max heart rate).

Drinking Alcohol

Alcohol plus sleep deprivation is a brutal one-two punch, harming both your liver and brain while wrecking your already fragile rest.

Skip the booze, try a caffeine-free tea, and use breathwork for a natural energy boost.

Avoid these mistakes to reduce the cumulative damage of firefighting and lower your risk of cancer, heart disease, and PTSD.

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