How To Be Healthier At Work

Maintaining a good work/life balance is so important for your health and so is being active every day. Part of the reason why I love my job in health and fitness is because every day I get to move my body — this is something I’m so grateful for! I know that for many of you, though, the 9-5 working week involves being in an office environment for most of your day.

One of the difficult things about working in an office job is that you are more likely to be inactive at a desk for a lot of your day — this is something that could have a negative impact on your health in the long-run. By following these 4 simple health tips, you can help reduce these risks and work towards being healthier during your working week!

Tip 1. Stay active

Trying to move your body regularly can help combat some of the negative effects of sitting down for most of the day at work. 

One way to do this is to get up from your desk regularly and go for a walk around the office. You can go make yourself a cup of tea, walk to the bathroom on a different floor (if possible), or walk over to your colleague to ask a question instead of emailing. Another way to get more movement in is to go for a stroll at lunchtime. 

These little changes can add up so the more you can include bits of activity into your day, the better it can be for you! A popular goal is to try to walk at least 10,000 steps a day so this is something that you can aim for. 

Tip 2. Schedule your workouts

Try to plan your week’s workouts ahead of time, like on a Sunday night before your working week begins – and then make sure you commit to them. I use the planner feature in the Sweat app because it helps me to schedule my workouts. One way to fit your exercise in is to do it first thing in the morning. While this depends on your lifestyle, it can be a good way to make sure that you don't cancel on yourself! It can sometimes be too easy to skip exercise in the evening because you have to stay back late at work or you're too tired at the end of the day. 

Tip 3. Stay hydrated

Water is everything! Stay hydrated throughout the day at work by tracking your water intake. Try keeping a 1L drink bottle at your desk that you regularly drink from and refill. Another option could be to keep a small glass at your desk and then go fill it up every hour. This can be useful in getting your steps done for the day too, as it forces you to get moving on a regular basis.

Tip 4. Pack your lunch

It’s a lot easier to reach for unhealthy food at work when you’re hungry and unprepared! Try to pack your lunch every day, rather than eating out on your lunch break. This can save you money, as well as help you be better prepared to make healthier choices when hunger strikes. You’ll know exactly what is in your meal because you made it!

If you like to snack, it could also be useful to prepare some healthy snack options to take to work. If you need ideas, check out some of my healthy recipes. Being prepared makes it less likely that you’ll reach for any unhealthy options just because you’re feeling peckish!

While these suggestions seem simple, they can make a big difference if you put them in place daily. I’d love to hear how you ladies stay healthy while you’re at work! Share your suggestions in the comments below.