Let’s face it, most of us spend a large proportion of our working day at our desks with our eyes glued to a screen and our bodies slumped into our seats. Prolonged periods at your desk can contribute to neck/back ache and a whole host of other conditions. Instead of us reciting what could ail you, we believe prevention is better than cure; so here are 3 ways to help you stay healthier at work.
You are what you eat!
For most this is easier said than done but cutting out eating junk and fast food at work is a great start! Sweets, pastries and chocolates are daily occurrences in some offices; make a conscious decision to avoid them, perhaps even replacing them with fruit and nuts. Try not to eat lots of fatty and carb heavy food, as it can leave you feeling sluggish and is harder to burn off. Boring we know but as the saying goes..!
Exercise at work
No, we are not going to tell you to jump around at your desk! Instead you can replace certain elements of your day to day work routine and actually get some of the exercise your body needs.
Replace:
- Your chair with an exercise ball
- The lift with the stairs
- The internal email with an actual visit to the person
- Lunch at your desk with lunch out
If you’re happy to stretch at your desk you may find the video below helpful.
Get some sleep
7.7 hours is apparently the optimum level of sleep to have for maximum levels of productivity. There are many studies that cite that lack of sleep is detrimental to your health but as we all know switching off can be a hard task after a tough day.
Here are some tips to help you unwind before bed:
- Exercise in the evening
- Read a book (also good if you’re studying)
- Make a to do list (get stressful stuff off your mind)
- Once in bed do not use your electronic devices (your brain is stimulated by the light)
Take these small steps to a healthier lifestyle and you should start to see the benefits.
What tips do you have for staying healthy at work? Share them in the comments below.
