Prioritizing your health and wellness in a home environment is typically straightforward. You make all the decisions and can purchase the things you need to take care of yourself.
However, prioritizing your health and wellness in the workplace can sometimes be more challenging. You’re sometimes bound by tight schedules and must follow your employer’s rules and recommendations.
While not always as easy, you may be able to take care of yourself at work in some of the following ways:
Limit Labor-Intensive Tasks
If you work in an industry with labor-intensive tasks, consider talking to your employer about technology solutions that the company can invest in to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries. For example, warehouse workers might request that their employer invest in palletizers from providers like TDI Packsys to keep stacking and lifting tasks to a minimum. For healthcare workers, one way to reduce the risk of back pain or injuries is by using mechanical patient-handling devices.
Set Boundaries
As much as you want to stand out in your workplace to be in the running for promotions and opportunities, it shouldn’t be at the expense of your physical and mental health. Set boundaries to look after yourself.
Don’t perform work or check emails outside of work hours and avoid overtime where possible. The more of yourself you give to your employer, the more they can often expect to take.
Prioritize Exercise
The United States has a highly inactive workforce. Tens of millions of employees work in offices where they spend a great deal of time sitting. That means we aren’t always getting as much physical activity as we need to stay healthy.
Prioritize exercise to maintain your health and wellness. You can go for walks on your breaks, take the stairs instead of the lift, and even invest in desk fitness equipment like treadmills. We should aim to get 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week.
Eat Well
It’s easy to get into the habit of grabbing fast and easy food when we’re busy at work. After all, preparing a salad at home can seem far more time-consuming than grabbing a burger and fries from a local fast food outlet’s drive-thru.
However, nutritious and delicious food can be pivotal for keeping you healthy at work, especially when you have an idle office job or need plenty of energy in a labor-intensive job. Prioritize fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and protein. There are plenty of standout options like pasta salad bowls, sandwiches, soups, and salads.
Ensure Ergonomics
Sitting down at a desk for extended periods can take its toll on your body. Take care of your muscles, bones, and posture, by setting your workstation up with adequate ergonomics.
Consider a standing desk, invest in an ergonomic chair, and even research the best ergonomic keyboard and mouse to ensure adequate hand and wrist support. You should also practice at-work stretches, such as neck stretches, core muscle stretches, forearm stretches, and shoulder rolls.
Prioritizing your health and wellness in the workplace isn’t always easy when your primary goal is to follow your employer’s instructions. However, taking time for these tasks above may ensure you can remain healthy to perform your job to a high standard.
Read Next: Vein Health at Work: Essential Tips for Every Employee
