The Best Ways To Stay Fit and Healthy At Work

For the most of us, work means sitting at a desk for hours and hours every day. Computer technology has made us lazy, yet also more efficient. But there are lots of health risks with such a sedentary lifestyle. Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, poor eyesight and back strain are some of the most common problems for desk workers. But there are plenty of methods which you can put into place to try and stay healthy and active throughout the day. Even if you are stuck behind a desk!

Stop Slouching

Incredibly difficult to apply, but incredibly simple. Sitting up straight is great for your posture, but it can also help prevent long term injuries. Take a breath, fill up your chest, put your shoulders back and sit. This should be your natural position. Arthritis, bursitis and abnormal spine alignment are some common chronic problems which can damage your body. Being hunched over your desk eight hours a day can also end up leaving you drained and without energy, hardly productive.

Eating Well

Even more obvious than sitting correctly. A good diet is the foundation of staying fit and healthy. Eating foods with less sugar and more protein, will maintain your energy better throughout the day, as appose to adding potential stress into your system, as you become overly stimulated. Everybody always hears it, but breakfast is the most important meal of the day. An early meal with lots of fibre, will lower your metabolism and give you long lasting energy throughout the day. Another key, is drinking lots of water, it should help prevent hunger and get you up on your feet sending you off to the loo.

Prevent Stress

One of the hardest things to do, as there are so many factors which can make people stressed. A huge problem in the workplace and the leading cause of depression, anxiety and other associated illnesses. Your team leader and management should, however, help you out as best as they can. It’s key to work out just how stressed you are. Arinite health and safety advisors have developed a Matrix which is great at finding out your problems. Breathing exercises, stretching and simply walking away from the environment are some everyday techniques which can be used to prevent stress.

Stand At Your Desk

Although it’s not conventional, it’s certainly worth a try. There are massive benefits to having a standing workstation. It can regulate your metabolic rate and increase the activity of fat burning enzymes. It usually ends up in a lower risk of obesity and diabetes. Standing up all day might seem too much, but why not try just a quarter of the day, it can seriously reduce the risk of obesity.

Do More Lower Level Activity

Without management encouraging you to do it, this one could be tricky. You might get a few concerning glances from your colleagues. By developing a routine that forces you to get moving around the office more, it will further increase your metabolism. Japan have already shown how effective this is, with a ‘sit down and get up’ strategy.

It’s incredibly difficult to incorporate all these techniques, but even doing some of them could drastically improve your health whilst at work.