problems. Many hospitality businesses prohibit
smoking for this reason. Smoking also makes
rooms smell unpleasant. This is another reason
that many hospitality businesses prohibit smoking
or restrict smoking to specific areas or rooms.
Smoking is also an expensive habit.
Alcohol is a legal drug for adults over the
age of 21. However, unwise alcohol use can lead
to illness and accidents. The main effect of alco-
hol is to slow down the body, especially the
reflexes and thought processes. All workplaces
prohibit employees from using alcohol while on
the job. Even if you work in a place that serves
alcohol, you are not allowed to drink on the job.
Many companies have a no tolerance policy. That
means that if you are found drinking or under
the influence of alcohol while on the job, you
may be immediately dismissed.
If you become ill, your doctor may prescribe
medicine for you. All medicines are powerful
drugs and have a strong effect on the body.
Many medicines slow down reaction times or
cause drowsiness. Many hospitality jobs require
you to be at your best in terms of reaction times,
reflexes, and thinking. When your doctor pre-
scribes a medicine for you, ask him or her if it
will affect your ability to do your job. If your
medicine will cause drowsiness or slowed reaction
times, discuss this with your supervisor.
Drug abuse is the deliberate use of a sub-
stance in ways that harm health. Drugs pre-
scribed by a doctor can be abused if they are
used improperly. Using alcohol in harmful ways
is also drug abuse. Use of any illegal drug is
drug abuse. Drugs are classified as illegal
because use of them harms health. Most com-
panies have no tolerance for drug abuse. New
employees are often required to take drug tests
before they are hired. A person found on the job
abusing drugs or under the influence may be
immediately dismissed.
Being overweight is another major health
risk. If you eat a balanced diet, are physically
active, and get enough rest, you should be able
to maintain a healthy weight.
Maintain Mental Health
Good mental health is also important to
perform effectively on the job. Figure 23-28
lists several tips for maintaining good mental
health.
Stress is a part of life. In particular, many
hospitality jobs are stressful. Stress is emotional
and physical. When you are feeling emotionally
stressed, your body often reacts. Physical symp-
toms of stress include that sinking feeling you
sometimes get in your stomach, tension head-
aches, and sweaty palms. Prolonged periods of
stress can contribute to a number of diseases,
such as heart disease and high blood pressure.
The key to good mental health is learning ways
to reduce the feeling of stress.
For example, imagine that you have recently
been promoted to the position of front desk
manager at a hotel. If you concentrate on the
enormity of your new duties, you might feel
stressed. If you think that you are not prepared
for the new duties, you might also feel stressed.
Chapter 23 Skills for Success
545
23-28 Good mental health is also important to perform effectively on the job.
Tips for Good Mental Health
Take short relaxation breaks during the workday. Walking or stretching will help you relieve stress.
Be organized. Keep a to-do list. This list should be arranged in the order of the importance of the task. The list
can be kept for tasks both at home and at work. A to-do list can help you to limit stress, keep you organized, and
improve your overall mental health.
Keep a positive attitude. Be realistic about what you can do. Give yourself credit for a job well done.
Express your thoughts and feelings about a situation in a proper way. Keeping things bottled up on the inside is a
path to disaster. It will make you unhappy with your job.