How to stay healthy at work

In this #LuxeTalentBlog we will give you some tips on how to stay healthy at work, so you can be more productive and happier. Ready? Keep reading

What are healthy habits?

Healthy habits are those routines that we have adopted as our own and that have a direct impact on our physical, mental and social well-being. In short, they are all those routines that we carry out on a regular basis that are good for us physically, mentally, and socially.

But... Do we apply these in our workplace? 

Can you tell us about any healthy habits that you follow at work? 

Although it is not always easy to lead a healthy life due to the fast lifestyle we live in and society's own conditions, we can certainly adopt preventive measures to help our body to feel healthier. 

We would like to give you some tips for healthy habits in the workplace. So continue reading to find out these tips and don't let your professional life affect your health.

Let's summarise the habits in 3 parts: 

1. Eating habits
2. Mobility habits 
3. Day-to-day habits

1. Eating habits

Eating well is essential, whether in or out of work. But especially during our working day, people tend not to eat as well as they should. Whether it's due to lack of time, stress, anxiety, etc. 

 Apply these simple steps to your daily routine:

• Have at least one fruit for breakfast. 
• Drinking 1-2 litres of water during your working day. A tip is to set a timer on your mobile, so you don't forget to drink! 
• Spend 10 minutes on Sunday planning your weekly menu. Carry out the famous "batch cooking" (precook your meals and get them ready to take away). 
• Nourish yourself with fiber-rich foods (vegetables, fruit, nuts, porridge...) Snacks like nuts and dried fruit can be helpful. 
• Avoid high-fat or sugary foods - replace them with snacks like the ones above! 
• Reduce your salt intake.

2. Healthy mobility habits

There are two types of healthy mobility routines that we can apply at work: 

• Movements in active pause  
• Movements in passive pause

Active pause: 

Movements that allow us to be active, i.e. getting up to get a coffee or a snack. As an advice, just set a timer, for example, to drink water, and leave water far away from your reach in order to "force" yourself to get up and go and have a drink. 

The same with mobile phones. Put it away, so when you need to use it, stand up and take a few steps. 

Other interesting tips for mobility habits:

• Do a set of crunches when you wake up.
• Take the stairs up and down at home or at the office.
• Take a walk to the office or get off one stop before when commuting.
• Use a bike instead of public transport.

Passive pause: 

These are movements where we do not actively activate the body, although they are necessary to rest. For instance, stretching. We spend many hours sitting in front of the computer just doing some relaxation (meditation, yoga...). 

• Try not to cross your legs. 
• Do not bend your back. A good chair where you can rest your back correctly is a must, especially if you do home office. 
• Keep the computer at a certain distance, not too close and not too far away. 

The same goes for your eyesight. With 8 hours of staring at a screen, it is important to be able to rest. For example: 

• Look out of the window every 2 hours or so.
• Go outside and get some air and let the sunshine on your face for 5 minutes.

3. Daily habits

Good habits should extend both at work and in your daily life.

It is important to exercise at least 30 minutes a day to activate the body after sitting all day. 

You can also benefit from:

1. Spending 20 minutes of your time meditating.
2. Switch off before going to sleep (no mobile phone, no computer, no TV).
3. Enjoy a conversation with family and/or friends.
4. Sleep at least 7 hours a day.
5. Take a shower every day after work (relax and sanitize).
6. Enjoy your free time to do your hobbies.
7. Avoid stress.

Most importantly, don't forget about your mental health

All the above aspects affect both our physical and mental health. There is a direct link between stress and health. Stress can cause headaches, muscle tension, and other negative effects on the body and everyday life, so it is important to keep mentally and emotionally healthy during the working day. Take time to do breathing exercises or get some fresh air, especially if you feel stressed or overwhelmed at work.

Get well-organised! With good organisation, you will be able to plan your tasks, so you can work under less pressure and still have time to clear your mind between working days.

Your working environment can also have a dramatic effect on your mental and emotional health. Try to keep your workstation clean and organised, and decorate your space with pictures or objects that make you happy. 

Put all these points in writing - seeing them on paper and hanging them on the wall, either in the office or at home, can be a great help in putting them into practice. Have you got any unfinished business? Start working on your habits now! It is possible to have healthy habits while working! 

If you want more tips, follow us on our social networks: LUXE TALENT on Instagram, LUXE TALENT on LinkedIn, or in our academy RETAIL ACADEMY on Instagram, RETAIL ACADEMY on LinkedIn.