Our workplace is often where we spend most of our daytime and fills a huge part of our lives. Yes, our careers demand a lot of our attention and energy, but if we leave our healthy routines and lifestyles at the office door, we are doing ourselves a disservice. If we don’t make the effort to take care of our health at work, over time we are likely to feel the effects in terms of both mental and physical wellbeing. To help you stay in the best possible shape and maintain your wellness at work, here are some simple steps you can take.
Stand up more
Sitting down for long periods of time is linked to a lot of health problems which is why adjustable standing desks are becoming more popular. If your office doesn’t have standing desks, try to stand up at regular intervals, even if this is simply walking over to talk to someone rather than calling over or emailing. If it’s difficult to stand up you should try and complete some stretching exercises at your desk. The Mayo Clinic provides some great tips on improving office ergonomics at your workstation to prevent sore back, hand cramps or repetitive strain injuries.
Take responsibility for your own safety
Your workplace is likely to have potential safety hazards all over the place which you need to be aware of. Your employer should have provided health and safety training, any protective equipment or workwear and has a legal obligation to provide a clean and safe working environment. You need to follow all the training and stay alert to potential safety issues such as clutter which could pose a trip hazard. If you are injured or become unwell as a result of something in your work environment you may be entitled to compensation. Contact The Compensation Experts to find out more.
Give your eyes a break
Staring at screens can make your eyes dry and tired, so it’s important to take regular breaks. Simply refocusing your eyes away from your screen for a few minutes could really help or you could use some eye-mist to retain moisture.
Use the stairs & take a lunchtime walk
If you have the choice between stairs and the lift try to take the stairs whenever you can. Stairs are a great way to improve fitness and take very little time out of your working day. When you have your lunch break try to get out of the office for some fresh air by going for a walk. This can reboot your brain and body and help to refocus you for the rest of the day.
Plan your nutrition
Make sure you eat a balanced and satisfying breakfast before you leave for work in the morning. This will kickstart your metabolism and feed your brain, which will help you to maintain a healthy weight and get your brain into gear from the beginning of the day. If you miss breakfast, you will be very hungry by lunchtime and will be more tempted to eat large portions of high-calorie foods with less nutrition. Try to pack a nutritious and balanced lunch which you can take to work. Snacking throughout the day is often better than eating a single big meal as it keeps your metabolism firing continuously. Finally, try to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body operating at full capacity.