With pressing deadlines, emails, work calls and a full client-load at work, it can be tricky for working professionals to prioritize and maintain a good bill of health. Personal health and wellness are multifaceted, and the demands of your job can push caring for your physical, emotional, social and spiritual health down on your list of concerns.
Your job is a significant part of your life, and when you’re feeling in harmony with your career and your personal life, you’re more likely to achieve success and fulfillment in both spheres.
Work-life balance is crucial to staying healthy, and because so many hours of your week are spent in the office, it’s important to find ways to include healthier habits while at work. Here are some helpful tips to look after all aspects of your health while on the clock.
1. Keep an Active Mindset
Sitting for hours a day at a desk in front of a screen doesn’t exactly do your body any favors, but it may be an unavoidable aspect of your job. When you’re tasked with hours of work in front of a screen, long durations of physical inactivity are an unfortunate result. Fortunately, there are ways to incorporate more movement into your day.
USANA Health Sciences recommend that professionals in all fields maintain focus on ways to workout and stay active every day–even when your time seems very limited. When at work, look for creative ways to bring movement to your day by taking the stairs, going for a walk on your lunch break or moving a meeting with a colleague outside on foot for a stroll around the block.
2. Take Breaks
Burnout is the result of a mental or emotional overload, but it takes a toll on your body, too. When you experience stress, your body responds by activating your nervous system and releasing hormones that flood your body with chemicals that only increase your stress response.
Try not to work through your designated breaks, even if you feel like you have to. If you have any vacation days saved up, don’t let those go to waste either. Regular breaks from work give your mind and body a chance to recover and recuperate, but they also enable you to strengthen your resolve and return with more ease and mental clarity.
3. Pack a Well-Balanced Lunch
Few adults get the recommended amount of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in their diet every day, and it’s even harder to eat a healthy, nutritious meal when you’re running around at work. Rather than rely on the break room vending machine or local fast food restaurants for meals and snacks, pack a few healthier options to keep your body nourished and ensure you get the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients you need to stay on top of your game. A fresh piece of fruit or a few chopped vegetables, for example, are just as convenient to grab and go as a bag of chips or sugary snacks.
4. Stay Hydrated
Your body is made up primarily of water, and adequate hydration has numerous benefits. In addition to being a healthy, no-calorie drink choice, when you drink enough water, your brain functions better, your body operates more efficiently and you’re less likely to experience cravings that have you reaching for unhealthy snacks.
5. Clean Your Workspace
It’s no secret, especially now, that some illnesses are highly contagious and have the potential to spread like wildfire when left unchecked. Make sure you take time to regularly clean your own workspace, focusing any high-touch areas you interact with daily.
As well, a clean workspace can go a long way in reducing stress. Visual clutter makes it difficult to concentrate on important work tasks, and your body may even respond by sending stress signals to your brain that will make it even more challenging to relax and get into the flow to complete your responsibilities. A clean workspace is good for both your mental and physical health, and when your home away from home is neat and tidy, you’ll reap the benefits for your overall well-being.
