 In our fast-paced, constantly connected world, sleep often gets shortchanged. We sacrifice it for work, social engagements, and late-night binge-watching, viewing it as a luxury rather than a necessity. However, sleep is not merely a period of rest but a fundamental component of our health and well-being. Understanding its importance can inspire us to prioritize sleep and, in turn, enhance various aspects of our lives.
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 | Brady Lowther, Senior Sales Executive at Central Supply has been dedicated to the company for over 24 years. He works with commercial key account customers and projects, while also being involved in business development. Brady's favorite part of his job is the fellowship of working with customers and teammates on a daily basis and creating friendships. Outside of work, Brady enjoys spending time with his family, who are active in sports. He has a wife, Maggie and three children: Grant, Olivia and Reed. |
A Simple Yet Vital Routine for Wellness
In our fast-paced world, maintaining physical health often takes a backseat to the demands of daily life. However, a simple yet powerful habit like stretching can significantly enhance your well-being. Whether you’re an athlete or someone who spends long hours at a desk, incorporating stretching into your routine offers numerous benefits. Here's why you should make stretching a daily practice.
Enhances Flexibility
Stretching helps improve flexibility by lengthening muscles and increasing the range of motion in your joints. This is particularly beneficial as we age, as it helps maintain mobility and reduces the risk of injuries. Greater flexibility allows for easier movement, making everyday activities more manageable.
Improves Posture
Poor posture is a common issue, especially for those who sit for extended periods. Stretching can counteract the effects of prolonged sitting by loosening tight muscles and aligning your body properly. This not only improves your posture but also alleviates associated discomfort, such as back and neck pain.
Reduces Stress and Promotes Relaxation
Stretching is a great way to relax and relieve stress. When you stretch, your body releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Additionally, focusing on your breathing while stretching can have a meditative effect, helping to calm the mind and reduce anxiety.
Boosts Circulation
Regular stretching improves blood flow to your muscles, which can enhance your overall circulation. Better circulation means that your muscles receive more oxygen and nutrients, aiding in recovery and reducing muscle soreness. This is particularly beneficial after workouts, as it helps in the removal of lactic acid and other metabolic waste products.
Prevents Injuries
Stretching prepares your body for physical activity by increasing flexibility and range of motion, reducing the likelihood of strains and sprains. By warming up your muscles before exercise and cooling down afterwards, you can minimize the risk of injury and enhance your performance.
Enhances Physical Performance
For athletes and fitness enthusiasts, stretching is crucial for optimal performance. It helps in maintaining muscle balance and joint health, allowing for more efficient and effective movements. Dynamic stretching before a workout can increase muscle activation and improve agility, while static stretching post-exercise aids in muscle recovery.
Alleviates Muscle Soreness
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common issue after intense physical activity. Stretching helps reduce the severity and duration of DOMS by promoting blood flow and reducing muscle stiffness. This makes it easier to stay active and continue with your fitness routine.
How to Incorporate Stretching Into Your Routine
1. Morning Stretch: Start your day with a gentle stretching routine to wake up your muscles and prepare your body for the day ahead.
2. Pre-Workout: Incorporate dynamic stretches before exercise to warm up your muscles and enhance performance.
3. Post-Workout: Use static stretches after your workout to cool down and aid in muscle recovery.
4. Breaks During the Day: If you have a sedentary job, take short breaks to stretch and relieve muscle tension.
5. Evening Stretch: End your day with a relaxing stretching session to unwind and promote better sleep.
Conclusion
Stretching is a simple yet powerful practice that offers a multitude of benefits for your body and mind. By incorporating it into your daily routine, you can enhance flexibility, improve posture, reduce stress, boost circulation, prevent injuries, enhance physical performance, and alleviate muscle soreness. Start stretching today and experience the positive impact it can have on your overall well-being.
In our fast-paced world, maintaining physical health often takes a backseat to the demands of daily life. However, a simple yet powerful habit like stretching can significantly enhance your well-being. Whether you’re an athlete or someone who spends long hours at a desk, incorporating stretching into your routine offers numerous benefits. Here's why you should make stretching a daily practice.
Enhances Flexibility
Stretching helps improve flexibility by lengthening muscles and increasing the range of motion in your joints. This is particularly beneficial as we age, as it helps maintain mobility and reduces the risk of injuries. Greater flexibility allows for easier movement, making everyday activities more manageable.
Improves Posture
Poor posture is a common issue, especially for those who sit for extended periods. Stretching can counteract the effects of prolonged sitting by loosening tight muscles and aligning your body properly. This not only improves your posture but also alleviates associated discomfort, such as back and neck pain.
Reduces Stress and Promotes Relaxation
Stretching is a great way to relax and relieve stress. When you stretch, your body releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Additionally, focusing on your breathing while stretching can have a meditative effect, helping to calm the mind and reduce anxiety.
Boosts Circulation
Regular stretching improves blood flow to your muscles, which can enhance your overall circulation. Better circulation means that your muscles receive more oxygen and nutrients, aiding in recovery and reducing muscle soreness. This is particularly beneficial after workouts, as it helps in the removal of lactic acid and other metabolic waste products.
Prevents Injuries
Stretching prepares your body for physical activity by increasing flexibility and range of motion, reducing the likelihood of strains and sprains. By warming up your muscles before exercise and cooling down afterwards, you can minimize the risk of injury and enhance your performance.
Enhances Physical Performance
For athletes and fitness enthusiasts, stretching is crucial for optimal performance. It helps in maintaining muscle balance and joint health, allowing for more efficient and effective movements. Dynamic stretching before a workout can increase muscle activation and improve agility, while static stretching post-exercise aids in muscle recovery.
Alleviates Muscle Soreness
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common issue after intense physical activity. Stretching helps reduce the severity and duration of DOMS by promoting blood flow and reducing muscle stiffness. This makes it easier to stay active and continue with your fitness routine.
How to Incorporate Stretching Into Your Routine
1. Morning Stretch: Start your day with a gentle stretching routine to wake up your muscles and prepare your body for the day ahead.
2. Pre-Workout: Incorporate dynamic stretches before exercise to warm up your muscles and enhance performance.
3. Post-Workout: Use static stretches after your workout to cool down and aid in muscle recovery.
4. Breaks During the Day: If you have a sedentary job, take short breaks to stretch and relieve muscle tension.
5. Evening Stretch: End your day with a relaxing stretching session to unwind and promote better sleep.
Conclusion
Stretching is a simple yet powerful practice that offers a multitude of benefits for your body and mind. By incorporating it into your daily routine, you can enhance flexibility, improve posture, reduce stress, boost circulation, prevent injuries, enhance physical performance, and alleviate muscle soreness. Start stretching today and experience the positive impact it can have on your overall well-being.
After nearly four decades of unwavering dedication and hard work, Central Supply bids a heartfelt farewell to one of its most esteemed employees, Mark Ferrell. As a boom truck driver for 39 years, Mark has been an integral part of our team, embodying the values and work ethics that define Central Supply.
Mark began his journey with Central Supply in 1985, bringing with him a passion for the job and an unmatched commitment to excellence. Over the years, he has navigated countless miles, delivering essential concrete, supplies and material while ensuring our operations ran smoothly. His expertise and reliability have not only made him a trusted driver but also a mentor to many of his colleagues.
Mark’s contributions go beyond his exceptional driving skills. Known for his friendly demeanor and willingness to lend a hand, Mark has forged lasting relationships with both co-workers and customers. His positive attitude and professionalism have set a standard for all of us at Central Supply.
As Mark approaches his well-deserved retirement, we take this moment to express our deepest gratitude for his remarkable service. His presence will be greatly missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Central Supply employees.
Please join us in celebrating Mark Ferrell’s incredible career and wishing him a happy, healthy and fulfilling retirement. Thank you, Mark, for 39 years of dedication and for being a cornerstone of our Central Supply family!
Mark began his journey with Central Supply in 1985, bringing with him a passion for the job and an unmatched commitment to excellence. Over the years, he has navigated countless miles, delivering essential concrete, supplies and material while ensuring our operations ran smoothly. His expertise and reliability have not only made him a trusted driver but also a mentor to many of his colleagues.
Mark’s contributions go beyond his exceptional driving skills. Known for his friendly demeanor and willingness to lend a hand, Mark has forged lasting relationships with both co-workers and customers. His positive attitude and professionalism have set a standard for all of us at Central Supply.
As Mark approaches his well-deserved retirement, we take this moment to express our deepest gratitude for his remarkable service. His presence will be greatly missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Central Supply employees.
Please join us in celebrating Mark Ferrell’s incredible career and wishing him a happy, healthy and fulfilling retirement. Thank you, Mark, for 39 years of dedication and for being a cornerstone of our Central Supply family!
How to Cope with Heat
Heat Stress
Symptoms
Prevention / Recommendation
The following procedure should be followed to prevent heat stress:
FROM CRH
- Your body is always generating heat and passing it to the environment. The harder your body is working, the more heat it has to lose. When the environment is hot or humid or has a source of radiant heat (a furnace or the sun), your body must work harder to get rid of the heat. If the air is moving and it is cooler than your body, it easier for your body to pass heat to the environment.
Heat Stress
- Heat stress occurs when the body temperature rises to above 38.5C (101.3F) and cannot cool off.
- High temperature, humid, heat generated from equipment, and body heat may contribute to heat stress.
- Heat stress can cause disorders ranging from heat cramps to heat stroke.
- Heat stroke is very serious, as it can be fatal.
Symptoms
- Irrational behavior, hot, dry skin, (with no sweating).
- Loss of consciousness and collapse.
- Co-workers who do not know the symptoms may think the victim is upset, intoxicated, or acting strangely.
Prevention / Recommendation
The following procedure should be followed to prevent heat stress:
- Have cool drinking water available to all workers. Workers should drink approximately one cup of water every 20 minutes.
- Workers should salt food well to replenish salts lost through perspiration (check with your doctor if you are on a low salt diet).
- Wear clothing that is loose fitting, tightly woven, and light in colour to reflect the sunlight.
- Do not consume excessive amounts of alcohol within 24 hours before working in a hot environment.
- In extremely hot conditions, workers should take rest periods out of direct sunlight or heat source more often.
- Workers on medication should check with their doctor before working in extreme temperatures.
FROM CRH
Wendy Richards has been a dedicated employee of Central Supply for 17 and a half years. She's worked in various roles with her current role in Commercial Sales. She works on various commercial projects coming up for bids in our area like schools, businesses, airports, road projects, and more! She enjoys interacting with the loyal customers of Central Supply and building positive relationships over the years. Furthermore, she loves to help her customers and co-workers succeed with the skills she's developed. Thank you for your dedication and hard work! |  |
Expanding your look-ahead capacity is one of the most important elements of Decision Driving. Being aware of what is happening in the distance gives you the time and space to make good decisions. If you observe other driver’s behaviors, you will begin to recognize those who are not looking ahead. They are the ones who slam on their brakes or swerve to avoid things they should have seen in the distance.
Looking ahead does not mean ignoring what’s right in front of you. It is a process of keeping your eyes moving from the area immediately around you to the road ahead and back.
By expanding your look-ahead capacity you will be better able to:
Examples
Practice expanding your look-ahead capacity
Help reduce the likelihood of vehicle accidents by always practicing the tips mentioned above.
Remain alert! A Decisive Driver is a safe driver.
From CRH
Looking ahead does not mean ignoring what’s right in front of you. It is a process of keeping your eyes moving from the area immediately around you to the road ahead and back.
By expanding your look-ahead capacity you will be better able to:
- Keep your vehicle centered in its lane
- See road signs in the distance
- Recognize potential traffic problems
- Select the proper lane and speed for conditions ahead
- Enjoy a smoother, more relaxed drive
Examples
- You see a green traffic light more than a block away (stale green) so you begin to slow down, knowing that it will probably change to red by the time you reach it.
- You see cars ahead merging from the right, so you enhance everyone’s safety by signaling and moving to the left lane.
- At night, you visually scan the entire length of your headlight beam so you are prepared for vehicles, animals, or anything else may appear in the road.
Practice expanding your look-ahead capacity
- Glance ahead frequently to the area where you will be in the next eight to 12 seconds.
- Check the center of your driving path well ahead, to make sure your vehicle stays centered in its lane.
- In the city, watch at least two blocks ahead for traffic lights, pedestrians, moving vehicles, and hazardous conditions.
- On highways, look as far ahead as possible to see and plan for hazardous conditions such as fog, ice patches, flooded areas, or debris in the road.
- Watch for vehicles merging into your lane from entrance ramps.
- Drive at a speed that allows you to stop within the distance covered by your headlights.
Help reduce the likelihood of vehicle accidents by always practicing the tips mentioned above.
Remain alert! A Decisive Driver is a safe driver.
From CRH
Spring and summer is bee season. Getting stung by a bee is never enjoyable, however for people with bee sting allergies it can be fatal. Did you know that most stings from bees or wasps can be avoided? These winged little creatures usually only sting to defend themselves, so the key is to not make them feel threatened. Below is a list of tactics to avoid bee stings.
1. Avoid wearing perfumes or colognes.
2. Don’t wear floral or bright colored clothing.
3. Be aware of what you are eating outdoors.
4. Wear shoes outside.
5. Avoid wearing loose fitting clothes.
6. Stay still and don’t swat bees, wasps or hornets.
7. Keep the windows in your vehicle rolled up.
8. Rinse garbage receptacles and keep the lids on.
9. Avoid hanging out in the flower garden.
10. If you have bees, wasps, or hornets nests call a professional to have them removed.
From CRH
1. Avoid wearing perfumes or colognes.
- Bees can detect and follow scents and wearing perfumes or colognes may make you smell like a flower and they may be attracted to you, thinking you are nectar.
2. Don’t wear floral or bright colored clothing.
- For the same reasons as not wanting to smell like a flower to avoid bees following you, you also don’t want to look like a flower to a bee and be landed on and/or stung. It is recommended to wear light clothing outdoors such as, khaki, white, beige or other light colors.
3. Be aware of what you are eating outdoors.
- Bees are drawn to sugary foods and drinks. Make sure to look in your can or glass of soda or juice to insure a bee has not flown in for a taste. To help keep the bees away, it is a good idea to avoid leaving pits or peels of fresh fruit and dispose of them promptly.
4. Wear shoes outside.
- Bees may find nectar on small flowers in your lawn, and some wasps make their nest in the ground. To avoid getting stung by accidentally stepping on a bee in the yard it is recommended to not walk around with bare feet.
5. Avoid wearing loose fitting clothes.
- If you are wearing loose fitting clothes, it is easy access for bees or wasps to find their way into an opening. Once inside they are trapped against your skin and their instinct is to sting for protection. It is better to choose tighter fitting cuffs, pants legs and to keep baggy shirts tucked in.
6. Stay still and don’t swat bees, wasps or hornets.
- Swatting at a bee or wasp is the worst thing you can to do to avoid being stung. If a bee, wasp, or hornet comes near you, just take a deep breath and stay calm. It's simply trying to determine if you are a flower or some other item useful to it, and once it realizes you're just a person, it will fly away.
7. Keep the windows in your vehicle rolled up.
- Bees and wasps have a way of getting into your vehicle and buzzing around trying to find a way out. So keep your windows rolled up as much as possible. If you do find yourself providing a ride to a free loading bee or wasp it is best to pull over when safe to do so and roll your windows down to give it a way out.
8. Rinse garbage receptacles and keep the lids on.
- Wasps love empty soda, juice, and beer bottles and any other food waste in your garbage can. It is best to keep your cans rinsed out to avoid food residue build up. Rinse your garbage cans out now and then, and always put tight-fitting lids on them to keep wasps away from your garbage. This can substantially cut down on the number of wasps hanging around your yard.
9. Avoid hanging out in the flower garden.
- Bees spend most of their time collecting nectar and pollen from flowers. It is best to stay out of their way. If you are really worried about being stung it is a good idea to stay clear where they spend most of their time and stay out of the flower garden or be aware of where they are.
10. If you have bees, wasps, or hornets nests call a professional to have them removed.
- Professional beekeepers or pest control experts can remove wasp or hornet nests or bee swarms safely, without putting you at risk for stings. It is not safe to try and take care of these situations on your own, as it can make these stinging creatures very angry when someone is trying to disturb or destroy their home.
From CRH
Protect Yourself from Heat Stress
Heat Illness: Exposure to heat can cause illness and death. The most serious heat illness is heat stroke. Other heat illnesses, such as heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash, should also be avoid-ed. There are precautions that can be taken any time temperatures are high and the job involves physical work.
Risk Factors for Heat Illness
IF THE WORKER IS NOT ALERT or seems confused, this may be a heat stroke. CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY and apply ice as soon as possible.
Heat Illness: Exposure to heat can cause illness and death. The most serious heat illness is heat stroke. Other heat illnesses, such as heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash, should also be avoid-ed. There are precautions that can be taken any time temperatures are high and the job involves physical work.
Risk Factors for Heat Illness
- High temperature and humidity, direct sun exposure, no breeze or wind
- Heavy physical labor
- No recent exposure to hot workplaces
- Low liquid intake
- Waterproof clothing
- Headache, dizziness, or fainting
- Weakness and wet skin
- Irritability or confusion
- Thirst, nausea, or vomiting
- May be confused, unable to think clearly, pass out, collapse, or have seizures (fits)
- May stop sweating.
- Block out direct sun and other heat sources.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Drink often and BEFORE you are thirsty. Drink water every 15 minutes.
- Avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.
- Wear lightweight, light colored, loose-fitting clothes.
- Call a supervisor for help. If the supervisor is not available, call 911.
- Have someone stay with the worker until help arrives.
- Move the worker to a cooler/shaded area.
- Remove outer clothing.
- Fan and mist the worker with water; apply ice (ice bags or ice towels).
- Provide cool drinking water, if able to drink.
IF THE WORKER IS NOT ALERT or seems confused, this may be a heat stroke. CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY and apply ice as soon as possible.
Other Resources:
| Fluid Replacement Fact Sheet |
For our very first employee spotlight we wanted to highlight someone special here at Central Supply Company. So of course, Larry Jenkins’ name came up. He has been a faithful employee of CSC and has just surpassed 32 years of service.
Larry can really do it all. From loaders to boom trucks to dumps, he’s an excellent equipment operator and he has the knowledge to back it up. Most importantly, he has one of the best attitudes around and is always willing to help anyone around him. Whether it’s a customer or coworker, he will do everything he can to get the job done safely. Thank you, Larry, for being an outstanding employee, coworker, and friend.
Larry can really do it all. From loaders to boom trucks to dumps, he’s an excellent equipment operator and he has the knowledge to back it up. Most importantly, he has one of the best attitudes around and is always willing to help anyone around him. Whether it’s a customer or coworker, he will do everything he can to get the job done safely. Thank you, Larry, for being an outstanding employee, coworker, and friend.
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