Whatever type of work you do, it is important that you take steps to stay healthy as you spend such a big proportion of time there. Simply changing a few habits can really make all the difference - especially as more and more of us are working in sedentary jobs which don’t involve a huge amount of physical activity at all. Staying healthy is something that also benefits your employer as it means fewer days missed through illness, an increased level of productivity and less stress which means that you can complete your job more effectively. With this in mind, here are a few strategies that you can use to stay healthier while you are at work.
Keep Your Workspace Clean and Tidy
You have probably heard the statistic that a normal desk harbors more bacteria than a toilet seat. And if this isn’t an incentive to get things cleaned up, I don’t know what is! Keep some sanitizing wipes and spray on your desk and simply spend a couple of minutes every day wiping things down. Tidiness is also important as many workplace injuries are caused by trips and falls. Making sure that you aren’t surrounded by junk is a good way of reducing the odds of this happening.
Drink Plenty of Water
When it comes to simple and effective health goals that you can set yourself, drinking more water is very high up on the list. Have a water bottle with you on your desk at all times and set a reminder on your phone to drink more on a regular basis. You may well be amazed by how much your energy levels increase and your productivity goes up. Best of all, this is a completely free and easy way of staying healthier.
Keep Hand Sanitizer on Your Desk
First of all, you should be washing your hands on a regular basis when you are at work. You come in to contact with all sorts of germs when you are at work, and hand washing is one of the best ways of keeping them at bay. Another good way of doing this is by keeping some hand sanitizer on your desk. You then have a backup from when you are unable to leave your desk to wash your hands.
Alert Management about Health Concerns
It is one of the central duties of your workplace to make sure you are kept safe and healthy when you are at work. Therefore, if you have any health concerns, it makes sense that you raise, these with your manager or employer at the earliest possible opportunity. For example, there may be a sick person who has come into work who you think may put your own well being under threat. If you have worked in a place which you think has already negatively affected your health, you may need to contact a mesothelioma lawsuit attorney or similar firm depending on your complaint. It is also important that you are fully aware of the health and safety policies of your workplace.
Eat Healthy Lunches and Snack Well
One of the main issues that people have during long working days is that they graze on unhealthy snacks and eat poor quality lunches. Try to combat this by bringing in your own healthy snacks so you are not tempted to buy things while you are at work. As well as this, you could prepare your lunches in advance so you only bring along things which are both good for you and will fill you up. Protein, fresh fruit, and vegetables are all great ways of combating that afternoon slump.
Take Regular Breaks
Sitting down for a long period of time is not good for your health, so you should be looking to take breaks in which you move around and ideally you want to get outside so you can get some much-needed vitamin D. A short walk can leave you feeling much more motivated and ready to tackle the work ahead of you. There are numerous negative health effects associated with a sedentary office job which you will want to combat as best you can.
Manage Your Stress
Stress is another factor which is linked to a myriad of health concerns, so you should be taking steps to actively manage your stress. Some people find breathing exercises to be helpful while others have a stress ball always ready on their desk.
Hopefully, these tips have provided you with some inspiration when it comes to staying healthier at work and you can use them in your daily life.