Wellness in the workplace
Most of us know the daily grind of full time employment. We sit at a desk all day staring at monitors, typing out emails and reports, or making calls. This might lead to a more secure bank account, but it’s not so great for your health. Sitting all day, breathing stale air, looking at bright monitors and fluorescent lighting, and eating less than ideal foods can have a dramatic impact on our health in the short and long term. There are some things you can do to keep yourself healthier in your office.
Sitting for extended periods of time is one of the worst offenders when it comes to workplace wellness. Add a standing desk to your setup, so you can stand for at least part of your day. You can make this better by adding a balance board to alternate your feet, and increase flexibility and balance. If you’re unable to use a standing desk, take a break at least once every two hours to walk for 10 to 15 minutes. You can also get under-desk pedals that act like a bike, so you can stay seated while still getting to be a little more mobile.
The bright lights used my monitors and overhead lights can be damaging to the eyes, and can even throw off your circadian rhythm, which can contribute to poor sleep and other health conditions. Dimming your monitor is the first thing to do. Next, you can pick up a pair of glasses that reduce the amount of light in the blue spectrum that you absorb. These blue blockers can be soothing to the eyes, and can lead to less eye strain and fewer headaches.
Planning your meals and snacks smartly is essential for office survival. Going out to eat lunch and hitting the vending machines should be backup plans, not the go-to, since it’s easy to overeat or choose satisfying foods that may contain too many calories and too few nutrients. Choose one day to prep all your meals for the next week, and separate them into containers for each day, so all you need to do in the morning is grab and go. You can do just lunch, or you can take your breakfast and snacks this way too. Keeping a box of protein bars at your desk can be a great fix for the snacking urge too.
Your health is your most important asset, so don’t sacrifice it for the sake of office convenience. Plan mindfully so you can stay healthy as you work through your week on the job.
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