The best definition for ‘Office’ now-a-days would be a home away from home. And with people spending over 9 hours at their workplaces, this home away from home is increasingly making people unhealthy!
When at home, we ensure that we have healthy food, go to the gym, maintain our hygiene and are in a relaxed state of mind with no signs of stress; but the moment we step into the office, all of this is quickly forgotten! Sitting in front of a computer with no proper lighting or ventilation for long hours, eating out, working without a break etc. the list is endless. The end result though is a common for all us office-goers, a unhealthy body! The workplace presents us with many opportunities which can up our health quotient while at work, but these oppurtunities are often overlooked due to their simple nature!
Following are a few simple tips on how to stay physically healthy at work:
Clean that dirty desk: The desk is one place in the office, where we spend most of our time, which alone is reason enough to ke
ep it clean!
The easiest way to avoid the flu that is doing the rounds of our office is to clean the desk regularly, with a local cleaning solution and tissues to get rid of germs. While you clean your desk, do not forget to clean the keyboard too as your fingers come in direct contact with it.
Wash those hands often/Use hand sanitizer:When at the workplace, make it a point to wash hands often with soap and water to keep them clean. Also keeping a bottle of hand sanitizer on the desk is also immensely helpful in cutting down the risk of catching an infection via your own hands!
Carry a 4’O clock ‘Dabba’: Along with a home-cooked lunch, carry a small Tiffin for that 4’O clock-after- lunch hunger. It should contain light yet nutritious food items such as cereals, fruits, sprouts, dry fruits and nuts, boiled corn, sprouts, Khakras. The yummy Suka Bhel is a great 4’O clock Tiffin item!
Hydrate: Keeping a water bottle on the desk is a fast track way to staying healthy. The bottle on the desk serves as a constant reminder to us that we need to drink water to keep ourselves from dehydration. Plus water detoxifies our bodies, keeping it healthy in the process. Also sipping on water at regular intervals will keep the hunger pangs at bay!
Befriend the Sun: If the workplace has windows, open them! This will not only allow for ventilation by bringing in fresh air but also result in our bodies getting Vitamin D due to exposure to the sun. For Offices with central AC’s which do not permit opening of windows, atleast keep the blinds open, letting the sunlight in.
Shutting it Down: Shutting down the monitor we work on for a while (5-10 mins) after regular intervals will give our stressed eyes, much needed rest. Use this time to relax, close your eyes or else focus on other things. You could also use this time to take a break, get away from your desk and go for a brisk walk in the office corridors.
Going up, take the stairs:Climbing the stairs has always been beneficial to one’s health, however while doing so keep in mind that is beneficial only when we are climbing up the stairs! (If we take to the stairs while climbing down it tends to put undue stress on the knees)
An apple on the desk keeps the coffee away:Though the coffee wakes us up and makes us feel energetic, the effects don’t last long and you feel tired soon after. An apple on the other hand with its hard crunchy texture along with the sweet juicy taste not only provides us with fiber but also with fructose (a simple sugar found in fruits and nuts). The fructose keeps us awake and energetic for longer hours if compared to coffee.
While we are talking about ways in which one can stay healthy while at work, we should not ignore the mental well-being part of health. After all “A sound body is a sound mind”, staying healthy on both the physiological and mental front is rather important to one’s entire well-being, be it at home or work. Today, work places are becoming more stressful, hectic and competitive than they ever were, making it a necessity, that we ensure our mental well-being!
Following are a few simple tips to keep your mind healthy at work:
LOL: Laughing out loud whenever something tickles our fancy at work will not only increase our life span but also cut down on the stress levels. Laughter at work is good for decreasing tension, stress and also boosts productivity by promoting a happy working environment.
No: Saying a simple ‘No’ will go a long way in cutting down stress and undue tension at your workplace. A ‘No’ can help in turning down colleagues who ask you to do their work or the boss who burdens you with work beyond your capabilities. Saying no will surely ruffle a few feathers but also help us avoid situations that can create stress and other problems at the work place. To read more about Smart tips for staying healthy at work