It goes without saying that most people need their jobs in order to take care of bills and the ones they love. That’s essentially why those who are employed go to great lengths to ensure they show up and perform at their best every day. While this is a diligent attitude to have, what some fail to realize is that they can only do their jobs effectively if they’re in good physical and mental health.
When your overall well-being is compromised, your ability to do your job decreases with time. Poor health means higher call-outs, increased illness, depleted energy, poor concentration, and slowed productivity. Though it can be easy to neglect your health for the sake of your career, doing so has grave consequences. That’s why it is essential for employees to do more to maintain their health in the workplace. Below are some tips on how to do this:
Wash Your Hands
When working in a shared space, there are many surfaces packed with germs, viruses, and bacteria, from the many hands that have touched them. An effective way to make sure that you don’t come in contact with them, spread them around, or become sick yourself, is to wash your hands. This is especially important before you eat. If you cannot always get to the restroom there is also the option to keep hand sanitizer on your desk for a quick clean.
Stay Hydrated
It’s not uncommon for employees to fill up on tea, coffee, and soda throughout the workday. While these beverages may give you a bit of an energy boost, they are not effective in keeping you hydrated. Dehydration can lead to increased headaches, body aches, dizziness, confusion, and lead to a multitude of other physical and mental problems if not taken care of. Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day by drinking plenty of water. This is especially true if your job is strenuous or requires a lot of physical activity. You can bring in your own spring water from home, get the water from the water bottle refill station in your office, or purchase water from the vending machines available to you.
Take Breaks
While you’re not getting paid to sit around all day, too much work without breaks in between can reduce your productivity levels and damage your health. Sitting at the computer screen for too long, for example, can cause back and neck pain and eyestrain. Do yourself and your employers a favor and take breaks throughout the day. Get up from your computer desk and stretch, take a brief walk around the office, and get out of the office on your lunch break.
Keep Healthy Snacks on Hand
You spend a better part of your day in the workplace. Chances are you’re going to get hungry. What you snack on when you get hungry is extremely important. Consuming too many sugary, salty, or overly processed foods like those offered in most vending machines will ruin your health. The best way to kill hunger pains without eating things that aren’t good for you is to have healthy snacks on hand. There are plenty of convenient on-the-go snack options you can bring to work with you including granola bars, protein shakes, fresh fruit and veggies, yogurt, string cheese, nuts, and more.
Incorporate Exercise Into Your Day
Both sitting and standing for too long on a daily basis can have a grave impact on your health. To try and break up the monotony and keep your health intact, it is recommended that you try to incorporate exercise throughout the day. Bring resistance bands to work with you and stretch during a 15-minute break, park further away from the job and walk, take the stairs instead of using the elevator, join a nearby gym and workout for 15-minutes before or after work, or take advantage of an exercise and health program incentives offered by your employer.
There’s no denying that you need your job. However, when you work so hard that you put your health and wellness on the back burner, it will catch up to you. In order to be the most effective employee and work at your best every day is to put your health first. Use the above-mentioned tips every day for a more energized, focused, happier, and productive you.
