People struggle with health for many reasons. There are those who have developed bad habits with food over time and there are those who have always been sick all of their lives. There are a lot of things that can also wreak havoc with our health. If you live in a city, there is always pollution from cars, dirty streets and exhaust from restaurants and factories. Even at the comfort of your own home or a workplace may still factor in the way you live a healthy lifestyle. Here are five tips for your if you are someone who works in an office or anywhere where it physical activity is not a norm.
- Take Breaks — Taking breaks every few hours is crucial for your mental and physical state. Several companies allow you to take 15-20 breaks every two to three hours excluding a full hour lunch break. Take this opportunity to get up and walk around, talk to your colleagues or call a friend or a loved one. You can go to the cafeteria or the lounge to watch TV. Basically, anything that does not require any mental stress will do the job. Some people prefer to go outside and get some vitamin D or just stroll around the block. Maybe you have some errands to run or you want to quickly visit a convenience store. Use your breaks to relax your mind and stretch your body. You need it.
- Hydrate — When people are so focused on what they are fiddling with the computer, they forget to hydrate. The air conditioner does not help as well. You need to keep drinking water throughout the day even if you don’t feel thirsty. Ideally, you should take 8-10 glasses of water a day. Coffee, tea, and soft drinks don’t count. Bring a liter of a water bottle to the office and make a point to empty it at least twice during your office hours.
- Stand or Walk Around — If you have a question to one of your colleagues, don’t just send them a personal message Stand up and walk over to them. It’s the best and fastest way to get your answer and you get a chance to stretch your legs and actually start a conversation. Some offices have tables that can be converted to a standing desk. This allows you to stay standing at the office without sacrificing the time you spend working.
- Watch those Unhealthy Snacks — Some companies offer free snacks and sodas as one of their “cool” perks. Anyone can just grab a chip and munch on them while they work. Some even don’t bother to eat a well-balanced meal because they are too full from eating all the free candies and junk foods. To avoid being tempted, bring your own snacks like fruits or nuts. Better yet, ask the administrative officers and the committee in charge of food at work if they can have a few days dedicated to healthy snacks.
- Keep Your Surrounding Clean — Even a well-ventilated and air-conditioned room can still be an attractive place for germs and bacteria. Always keep a disinfectant or a tissue around in case you need to wipe your table, keyboard or mouse. A lot of people say that the dirtiest part of our body is our mouth. Therefore, it is always necessary to wipe your phone before you start your day.
