We all know that sitting at a desk all day isn’t the best for our health. But for many of us, it’s hard to avoid because our jobs require it. If you work an office job, there are some things you can do to minimize the health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Here are four tips to help you stay healthy while working an office job.
1. Use Blue Light Glasses
Long hours working in front of a computer can really take its toll on your physical and mental health. To safeguard your vision, one thing you can try is using blue light glasses! Blue light glasses act as a filter that helps reduce the amount of blue light coming from digital screens, such as laptops and phones. Many people find their eyes getting increasingly strained when looking at screens for longer periods, but glasses designed to reduce blue light emissions can make all the difference. The improvement in eye comfort makes the cost of purchasing a set worthwhile. You’ll be able to work more comfortably and efficiently by giving those eyes of yours some much-needed protection! You can find out more about that here or by doing some research. When choosing your glasses, make sure to check that the lenses are made of polycarbonate for added protection against harmful UV rays.
2. Get A Standing Desk
If you work an office job and want to improve your physical health, two simple options are to get a standing desk or switch out your chair for an exercise ball. Having a stand-up desk won’t just give more variety in your day, it can also help reduce back pain, as it allows you to alternate between sitting and standing. Sitting on a balance ball, meanwhile, is an ideal way to strengthen your core muscles; the constant adjusting and balancing needed to stay atop the ball helps tone those muscles without requiring any extra effort. Not only do both of these strategies benefit your body’s physical structure and strength, but they can also have psychological benefits too: Feeling like you have control over how you sit at work (figuratively and literally) may uplift your mood while improving your posture at the same time.
3. Take Breaks
Working at an office job can be challenging for many of us, but taking a few short breaks throughout the day can do wonders for your overall well-being and productivity. Working nonstop can lead to exhaustion, headaches, and feeling irritable. Taking regular breaks is one of the four health-saving tips for people who work in an office. Specifically, aim to take a break every 20 minutes or so to get away from your desk – even if it’s just for 5 minutes – to walk around and get your blood flowing. Not only will this give you a mini-moment of relaxation, but research shows that exercise also boosts alertness and concentration. So when it’s time to take a break from your computer, why not use that moment as an opportunity to stretch those legs too?
4. Stay Hydrated
Keeping your body hydrated is a key component to maintaining your overall health, and when you have an office job, this is particularly important. It can be easy to forget to drink water during the workday, especially when you’re busy with tasks. When it comes to what you should be consuming throughout the day, plain water is definitely the way to go. Not only does it help keep you feeling energized and focused as you move through different tasks, staying hydrated also helps promote better digestion and keeps your skin looking healthy. So make sure that you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day – not only will it benefit your current well-being but in the long run too! Avoid sugary drinks like soda or juice which can cause a crash in energy levels after consumption. Rather focus on making sure that you’re regularly sipping on H2O throughout the day.
In conclusion, if you work an office job, there are simple but important steps you can take to keep yourself healthy. Wearing blue light glasses can protect your eyes, getting a standing desk or sitting on an exercise ball gives you a chance to improve your posture and one’s core, taking breaks every 20 minutes allows for more fluid movement throughout the day, and drinking water keeps you hydrated and hydrated leads to fewer cravings for sugary drinks, and bringing snacks helps avoid vending machine temptations. Taking these four health-saving tips into account can make a significant difference to maintain a higher level of wellness over time in the workplace.