How to Stay Healthy in the Workplace
By,
RL Morris
Are you a working professional who is worried about the number of sick leaves every month? Then, it is time to make some changes to your working style and habits. Only by staying healthy can one contribute to productivity and creativity and go up the ladder in the organisation. So, here are some tips to stay in good shape and keep pills and doctor’s appointments at bay.
Stay hydrated
One of the basic steps to good health is to stay hydrated. Please make sure that a water bottle is your constant companion in your office. Rather than keeping it as a memento on the table, keep it filled daily and take occasional sips to ensure that your toxins are flushed out and cells stay hydrated. Whenever you feel the craving to go for a carbonated drink or coffee, reach for the water bottle and take a swig before you continue with your work. This will reduce the caffeine and sugar intake, which are central to staying healthy. If you are using a reusable bottle, use a marker to set a deadline to finish a particular quantity of water. Reminders can be set on the smartphone to drink a certain quantity of water before and after lunch.
Pack a Lunch for the Workplace
There is nothing more harmful to the body than skipping meals or supplementing normal food with junk food. Wake up a little early and prepare something that is healthy and balanced to be eaten during lunchtime. If you hate waking up early, prepare it the night before and keep it in your lunchbox. You can go for healthy fats, lean proteins, salads, tuna, and fruit. Healthy and wacky recipes are dime a dozen on the Net, and you can try them out to ensure that your lunchbox contents are different each day. In this way, you can stave off the boredom of having pretty much the same stuff every afternoon.
Snack in a Healthy Manner
When it’s snack time, try skipping the usual oil-guzzling fries, samosas, and vadas. Instead, store some granola bars, dry fruits, or sugar-free wheat cookies in your work station. Munch on them when you feel like having a bite. Doing so lends a feeling of satiation, keeps the stomach from overworking, and prevents heartburn, reflux, and bloating. Also, be strong enough to resist the temptation of reaching out for a fistful of chips from a packet offered by a co-worker.
Cut the Number of Cuppas
Many professionals become coffee addicts as they believe the brew is the shortcut to suppress hunger pangs and to be alert, firing on all cylinders. But the romance with the beans can be dangerous in the long run. Studies show that coffee suppresses appetite, and skipping food guarantees acidity, reflux, and irritable bowel syndrome as time progresses. Also, doctors say that an overdose of coffee causes restlessness, irregular bowel movements, and dizziness, wrecking workplace performance. If you are a coffee addict, try reducing the number of cups slowly. There are decaffeinated options in the market that you can try out.
Watch your Posture
Make sure that your office chair is an ergonomic model that supports your back and neck. Your head should be aligned with the top one-third of the computer monitor. Ignoring these seemingly trivial suggestions will invite an unwanted guest to your neck-a cervical collar. Sitting long hours in front of the screen is also not advisable. Take short breaks in between and do some stretching. While sitting, make sure that your feet are flat on the ground and your wrist and forearms are straight on the desk. Also, make sure to glance at some point on the wall in between and open and shut your eyes a few times to avoid ocular fatigue. Are you bothered by frequent calls? Use Bluetooth headsets.
Keep the Virus Away
Offices and other spaces where people congregate are happy hunting grounds for various types of viruses. In case you happen to spot someone feeling unwell or continuously sneezing or coughing, maintain social distancing and use a surgical mask. Also, use the sanitiser each time you touch common surfaces or use the washroom.
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