Corporate Wellness
For many people, the pursuit of a healthy work-life balance seems like an impossible goal. With so many of us torn between juggling heavy workloads, managing relationships and family responsibilities, and squeezing in outside interests, it’s no surprise that more than one in four Americans describe themselves as “super stressed.” And that’s not balanced—or healthy.
In our rush to “get it all done” at the office and at home, it’s easy to forget that as our stress levels spike, our productivity plummets. Stress can zap our concentration, make us irritable or depressed, and harm our personal and professional relationships.
Over time, stress weakens our immune systems, and makes us susceptible to a variety of ailments from colds to backaches to heart disease. Latest research shows that chronic stress can actually double our risk of having a heart attack. That statistic alone is enough to raise your blood pressure! Moreover, stressed people are more likely to be overweight and face difficulties in losing the extra pounds due to the high cortisol levels!
The key to managing stress lies in that one magic word: balance. Not only is achieving a healthy work-life balance an attainable goal but workers and businesses alike see the rewards. When workers are balanced and happy, they are more productive, take fewer sick days, and are more likely to stay in their jobs.
Setting manageable goals each day, being efficient with your time, Communicating effectively, staying active, treating your body right and staying healthy at work are all essential in order to create this balance and wellbeing at the workplace. And in this article, we will emphasize on few practical tips that help employees stay healthy at work, so they can reduce their levels of stress:
- Plan ahead
Planning can really help you have healthy meals and snacks no matter how busy things get. Set aside time each week to make a meal plan and shopping list. Keep to it each week. Once you get into the habit of planning, you will need less time. This will save you time in the supermarket and the kitchen and probably help you control your food choices and portion size.
- Meal Preparation
One of the clues for eating healthy and keeping normal body weights in our busy life is preparing our meals and having a meal plan for the whole week. Spend an hour or two on Sunday tackling some of the week’s cooking. Think small, like cleaning and chopping veggies in advance. Or, go bigger, and make your stew, soup or slow-cooker dinner in full on Sunday.
- Stay Hydrated
Keeping hydrated is associated with better mental performance and cognition and combating tiredness, so it’s in your best interests to drink the recommended daily water intake to keep mentally alert in the workplace. Fill your water bottle once you arrive to work and keep it on your desk as a water-drinking reminder.
- Keep healthy snacks at your office
Having nutritious snacks to eat during the workday can help you stay energized and productive. Some great options for healthy snacks include nuts, low-fat yogurt, fresh fruit, vegetable sticks with hummus or peanut butter, or even a few squares of dark chocolate. Keeping these snacks in a desk drawer or shelf can make it easier for you to grab something nutritious when hunger strikes.
- Take small regular breaks
It’s essential to take short breaks throughout the day to rest your eyes, stretch your muscles, and clear your mind. This can help prevent burnout and improve focus.
- Stay active:
Aside from its well-known physical benefits, regular exercise reduces stress, depression and anxiety, enables people to better cope with adversity, and prevents weight gain according to researchers. It’ll also boost your immune system and keep you out of the doctor’s office. Make time in your schedule for the gym or to take a walk during lunch—and have some fun! Choose the stairs instead of the elevator at work to stay active.
- Fuel your body.
A tasty smoothie, a piece of fruit, or a handful of your preferred nuts/dried fruit/leftover veggies from the night before will make all the difference in your day. The people who consume unhealthily fried foods or foods loaded with preservatives will crash and burn much earlier than those who load up on nutritional foods that provide energy reserve for your cells.
Keeping yourself well at work involves maintaining your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Sometimes, you just to add small modifications to your daily routine to make you feel better and more productive.
