You’re there most days, but how often do you make the time to de-clutter and revaluate your work life? We don’t mean just moving the odd mouldy mug or two. Everything from the environment you’re in to how much time you spend in front of the screen can impact your office health.
Head into the new season with a spring in your step; here are seven ways you can make your work life so much healthier.
Get Some Natural Light
With tight deadlines looming and not a minute to spare, fitting in some sunshine time may not be your top priority. But don’t be too quick to dismiss it; those glorious rays can really help your productivity.
In A Literature Review of the Effects of Natural Light on Building Occupants, authors L. Edwards and P. Torcellini were so impressed by the benefits of natural light that they encouraged businesses and institutions to install “properly maintained daylighting systems” when designing new buildings, to help promote better health in its occupants.
During their study they found that natural light helps “cure some medical ailments, decrease stress levels for office workers and improve performance.” Get your dose of vitamin D by taking a lunchtime walk or brainstorming outdoors.
Embrace Healthy Competition
It’s easy to get stuck in the same old routine at work. With the mind-set of ‘clock-in at 9, leave at 5 and forget whatever’s in-between’ you tend to do just what’s required of the job without the drive to progress to the next level. To break the cycle, try to embrace a little healthy competition.
Be that through outdoor activities or office teambuilding, healthy competition can catalyse innovation, shake off complacency and establish a better understanding of your market. But keep it healthy. Jason Spievak of Invoca agrees, “competition doesn’t have to be serious or even directly related to a business objective.” Get a pool table in, socialise with workmates and make it fun.
Get Stand-Up Desks
The reports are true, “sitting is the new smoking.” According to Just Stand.Org, the average person “sits approx. 7.7 hours a day,” which can result in all kinds of health problems, even if you exercise regularly. Lots of sitting not only encourages slouching and bad posture, but also cardiovascular issues, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression – it can even impact your metabolic rate.
Many argue that the solution to a sedentary work life is standing tables, or even treadmills tables to increase energy, burn calories and get the blood pumping. But if they’re out of the question, just remember to take frequent breaks. Stepping away from the screen helps you manage day-to-day tasks more effectively, whilst keeping the body healthy.
Buy A Plant
If you’re de-cluttering your desk and are wondering what to replace that mound of paperwork with, buy a plant! According to a study conducted at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and Uppsala University in Sweden, the presence of a potted plant can lower stress levels dramatically.
They found that potted plants help reduce tiredness, dry throats and headaches. They even saw connections between those who had plants on their desk and the number of sick days they took – it was far less than their plant-less counterparts!
Whilst they’re not 100% certain why that is, one idea is that the plants are helping to remove harmful compounds from the environment. Speaking to the Daily Mail, researcher Dr Bringslimark said, “there could be a psychological explanation in that people believe plants are healthier and are likely to evaluate their own health more optimistically.”
Whatever the reason, it seems to work. Replace dusty old post-it notes with a health-helping plant.
Healthy Snacks
Energy levels can run low at the office, so encourage colleagues to bring a healthy supply of snacks. The kitchen provides a ceaseless stream of sugar-filled coffee, but what about apples, bananas, almonds and dried fruit? These help you stay alert when you start to feel sluggish, without the sugar-crash minutes later.
Snacking isn’t a bad thing. According to a study published by the NPD Group, “consumers following the healthiest diets snack twice as often as those with less healthy diets.” So stock up – Greek yoghurt, dried cherries and sunflower seeds are healthy, tasty choices.
Change Your Commute
The commute to work can be tough. Whether you’re fighting for a seat on the train or stuck in traffic, it isn’t good for your health. For many, it feels like little can be done – you have to get there somehow! But once you realise the effect commuting can have on your body and mind, you may be inclined to find an alternative route. A recent report from the UK’s Office of National Statistics found that “riding a bus for 30 minutes or longer was associated with the lowest levels of life satisfaction and happiness,” says TIME Magazine.
If relocating is too drastic a move, try dusting off your bike – the break from busy commuters and endorphins from the exercise will leave you far happier and healthier.
Office Pet
If you’re at loss of how to make your work life healthier, try persuading your boss to bring in an office pet. Animal lovers will agree; puppies and kittens make everyone happy.
In a review of research on domestic dogs and human health in the British Journal of Health Psychology, they discovered that pet owners tend to be healthier. They found evidence to suggest that dog owners have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and are even less prone to minor / serious health issues.
Speaking to The Guardian, clinical psychotherapist Terri Bodell supports this idea saying, “pets at work can help employees to relax… and improve morale.” Request an office pet immediately – it’s for the good of your health!
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