Service Industry: Resources for Mental & Physical Health
It's so important to take care of your physical and mental health, especially when working in the service industry. Having an attentive mindset to serve others and show constant Hospitality often puts those in the service industry working long hours with high levels of stress, and little time off. It's important to keep some of the following resources in mind to maintain your physical and mental health.
Insurance:
Many hospitality businesses offer health insurance benefits for their employees. Check with your employer to see what options are available to you. As a 1099 contractor with Gigpro, you may not have access to traditional employer-provided health insurance. However, there are several insurance options available for 1099 workers. Here are a few:
Health Savings Account (HSA): An HSA is a tax-advantaged savings account that can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses. As a 1099 contractor, you may be eligible to open an HSA if you have a high-deductible health plan.
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace: The ACA Marketplace offers health insurance plans for individuals and families who are self-employed or do not have access to employer-provided health insurance. You can compare plans and prices on Healthcare.gov and enroll during the open enrollment period.
Association Health Plans (AHPs): AHPs are group health insurance plans that allow self-employed individuals and small businesses to band together to purchase health insurance at a lower cost. AHPs may be available through professional or trade organizations.
Short-term Health Insurance: Short-term health insurance plans are designed to provide temporary coverage for individuals who are between jobs or have a coverage gap. These plans typically offer lower premiums but may have limited benefits and coverage periods.
Health Care Sharing Ministries: Health Care Sharing Ministries are faith-based organizations that offer a health care cost-sharing arrangement as an alternative to traditional health insurance. Members of these ministries share in the cost of medical expenses.
It is important to carefully research and compare the options available to you to ensure you find the right insurance coverage for your needs as a 1099 contractor.
Therapy
The following organizations provide resources for mental health support and therapy for service industry workers:
Ben's Friends: a support group for addiction and mental health issues in the restaurant industry.
The Heirloom Foundation: provides free counseling services for individuals in the hospitality industry.
I Got Your Back: provides resources for mental health support for hospitality workers, including access to free therapy sessions.
Exercise
Maintaining physical health is important for service industry workers who may be on their feet for long hours. Consider joining a gym, participating in a fitness class, or going for regular walks or runs to stay active. Some organizations that provide fitness resources for service industry workers include:
Fit4TheFloor: Provides virtual fitness classes specifically designed for restaurant workers.
BurnAlong: Provides online fitness and wellness classes for service industry workers.
Support Groups
Service industry workers can benefit from connecting with others who understand the unique challenges they face in their jobs. Consider joining a support group such as:
Restaurant After Hours: A Facebook group for service industry workers to connect and support one another.
The Shift Drink: A podcast and online community for hospitality professionals to share stories and offer support.
By taking advantage of these resources, service industry workers can prioritize their mental and physical health and find support within their industry. We must take care of ourselves first, after all, we can't fill another's cup if our own is empty.
