For far too long we have prioritized DOING well over BEING well. Employees tend to make unhealthy choices as compared to healthier ones, simply because they think they don’t have the time to do so. Picking up a donut for breakfast is easier than making a salad. Several cups of coffee subsidy for a bad night’s sleep. Getting some extra sleep in the morning instead of getting up and exercising. Don’t give yourself an out, just because you don’t feel like it. Focus on these few tips to up your health in your everyday life and watch how it will improve your life in the work world.
DRINKING
No, we don’t mean going down a binger. We’re talking about staying hydrated. Dehydration can decrease energy levels and lead to major reductions in cognitive brain performance and memory. Drinking water can help you focus and stay alert to improve your energy levels. A water guzzler is less likely to get sick. And who wouldn’t rather feel healthy the majority of the time? Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu, cancer and other ailments like heart attacks. Water can also help flush out toxins by getting rid of waste through sweat and urination which reduces the risk of kidney stones and UTIs.
Check In-Time: How much water have you drank today? Time to fill up your cup! Make sure you’re getting enough water today!
EATING
You are what you eat. Partaking in a healthy nutritious diet acts as medicine to maintain, prevent, and treat disease. Good Food is Good Mood. Enjoying healthy meals can spike up a person’s daily energy level making them feel good. Meals complimented with vegetables are great sources of dietary fibers and multivitamins.
Check-In Time: What did you eat for lunch today? How many fruits or vegetables did you have today?
MEDITATION
Elevate positive mood and outlook, self-discipline, healthy sleep patterns and experience less stress through meditation. Let your mind wander while you meditate, you never know what great idea you will come up with next.
Check-In Time: 10 Minute Breathing Exercise! Close your eyes, sit up right & relax. Breathe before the start of the day!
SLEEP
Healthy sleep can help your body better regulate blood sugar levels, keep your immune system functioning properly and even improve your heart health by decreasing stress. Just like our body, the brain requires rest too. Maintaining a good sleeping pattern can help lower down the stress level.
Check- In Time: Check in with a friend today and make sure they got a good night’s sleep! Chaos within a person can cause sleep deprivation. Sometimes you may just need to talk out a heavy situation in order to sleep at night.
RUNNING
Increased indulgence in regular cardio such as frequent jogging helps to increase the blood and oxygen flow throughout the body. Today’s sedentary work culture is highly responsible for the growing numbers of employees falling prey to obesity and excess belly fat. Every 5 minute run at a pace of 10-min/mile burns about 45 calories. Running directly impacts the heart making it more active burning the unnecessary amount of calories.
As we age our muscle and bone strength decreases. Employees too fall prey to this since most of the modern day work involves sitting at a desk all day without much physical activity. However, taking up running as a habit can reduce this risk and help retain both muscle and bone strength for a long time.
Not keen on the idea of running? Try just going for a walk. Did you know, doctors recommend 10,000 steps per day for good health? However, an average employee walks only about 2,000 steps a day contributing to the ever growing health risk.
YOGA
One of the most common workplace complaints about people with desk jobs. Yoga uses physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to improve overall health. Those who demonstrate yoga technique experience an increase in empathy with customers on the phone.
How are you encouraging wellness in and out of the workplace?