Yes, You Can Be Healthy at Work

When you are downing caffeine like nobody’s business, constantly having lunch on the go or at your desk, and not hitting the gym because you’re always at work till late, it’s easy to let your health slide down the unfit and out of shape abyss.

It’s all too common to blame work for why you’ve let your health take a back seat. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Plus, if you keep letting work get in the way of keeping a healthy lifestyle, it won’t be long before it becomes an issue where you are constantly sick.

So how do you stay healthy despite the crazy work schedule? Here are five things you can do quite easily.

#1 Pick a healthy lunch
It’s easy to go for fast food or munch on junk food when you’re rushing through deadlines. But it’s also easy to choose healthy food simply by being conscious about it. Start with a filling breakfast to get the day going and opt for a low-carb meal or a salad for lunch. Forgo the greasy stuff as this can make you feel lethargic later during the day. In fact, it’s a good idea to take a break and leave the office for lunch. That short break will do your concentration some good.

#2 Don’t forget the water!
You’re so busy replying emails and working on that report you’ve completely lost track on doing something as simple as drinking water. It’s important to stay hydrated during the workday; dehydration causes sluggishness and drowsiness. Also, while it’s tempting to go for that extra cup of coffee, limit your caffeine consumption to one cup in the morning to prevent a caffeine crash later in the day. Leave the sugary drinks out too; that bubble tea may seem like a good idea for a mid-day treat but do it every day and your sugar intake will soon hit the roof.

#3 Watch your posture
We bet you automatically corrected your posture after reading that headline. That’s the thing – after spending hours in front of the computer, we tend to slouch and stretch our neck forward, which puts unnecessary pressure on the neck and spine that can lead to back problems in the future. Do this: Every 30 minutes, stand up and go for a good stretch. Move your neck from left to right several times to get the blood going. Take a deep breath and exhale. This not only helps to get you out of sitting for too long but is great to refresh the body and mind.

#4 Germs, germs everywhere
With so many different people in the office, it can be a gold mine for germs and viruses. Especially if it is flu season and your colleagues are falling sick one after another. Take necessary precaution to make sure you’re not next. Keep a bottle of hand sanitiser at your desk and use it often to stay germ-free. Needless to say, it’s best to stay away from colleagues who may be sick. Frequent handwashing can also prevent germs. And top up on your Vitamin C!

#5 Walk more
Take the stairs whenever possible. Walk around the office for a quick break. Park your car a little further from your destination to squeeze in a five or 10-minute brisk walk. See how easy it can be to incorporate some light exercise in your daily work life?

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash