How To Create a Holistically Healthy Work Environment
Work in an office?? If so, you’re likely to spend more waking workday hours at work than at home. The focus is usually on making a clean, happy environment at home, so it makes sense to make sure that our work surroundings are just as conducive to achieving wellness through physical, mental, financial and spiritual health.
A holistically healthy workplace means you’re more likely to feel content in your job, not dread the daily grind, more money in your pocket, increased productivity and reduced days off.
Here are some great tips to create a healthy work environment:
1. PHYSICAL
Sitting
Office workers spend around 80 percent of the working day on their behinds. Latest research suggests that prolonged sitting at work can be deadly, increasing the risk of dying from cardiac and metabolic diseases, even if you exercise.
Reduce your sitting time by:
Use standing workstations so you’re spending part of your day standing
Take frequent breaks: pop to the bathroom, grab a glass of water, grab your snack or lunch from the kitchen fridge, buy your lunch from a little far away, or take the stairs to speak with colleagues.
Ergonomics
The type of chair you sit in, where your screen and keyboard are placed and your posture whilst sitting will determine other physical issues that may occur at work such as back and neck pain, tendonitis and headaches.
Set up your desk with:
Stability or fitness balls to help engage core muscles whilst you’re sitting
Request an assessment on your workstation and make sure you have an ergonomic chair, desk and other relevant equipment.
Nutrition
Can’t rely on your bosses to get rid of the bikkie tin or the vending machine? Only fatty, greasy or stodgy options available at the café or canteen?
Create your own healthy eating environment by bringing in your own snacks and meals
Keep your favourite snacks and a few packets of long-life foods to throw together a quick meal or snack like tins or tuna, salmon, baked beans, tinned beans or corn, crackers, raw nuts, dried fruits, tubs of fruit in natural juices, a tub of natural nut paste and keep a loaf of grainy bread in the freezer.
If you’re time-poor or not quite sure where to start, fresh, healthy home delivered food companies like Eat Fit Food can be a lifesaver, literally.
Medical
Avoid being one of the many flu and bug casualties that are often inevitable in an office environment by:
Using anti-bacterial wipes on your phone, keyboard, mouse, handles and basically everything else you touch
Wash your hands thoroughly every time you go to the bathroom
If you are unfortunate enough to be stuck in an open-plan office with coughers who haven’t taken the day off work, keep face masks
Avoid headaches and the 3pm slump by staying hydrated – keep a jug or large water bottle or mug of herbal tea on your desk at all times and sip through the day. It’ll also mean getting up and dashing to the loo many times means less time sitting!
Aesthetics
There’s no doubt that a dreary, dull- looking environment will only breed dreary, dull feelings, ideas and mood.
Put up a mood or inspiration board, quotes, ideas, goals – even a picture of the Maldives villa over the water that you’re desperate to holiday at to inspire and put some light in your day
Place a plant or flowers on your desk for a splash of colour and life
Make a colourful, fun screen saver for your computer
Place photos of loved ones around you
2. MENTAL & EMOTIONAL
Feeling happy and able to manage stress at work is one of the keys to creating physical wellness. Happiness means a more positive mindset and the ability to perform tasks well.
Don’t be shy to ask, within reason, for what will make you happy in your workplace, whether it be different work hours, updated work equipment
Create some friendships and bonds with colleagues
Get involved with workplace events, sports teams and outings or organise some if they’re not already available.
3. SPIRITUAL
Feel a sense of peace and being content with your job is essential for good health.
Make sure you take a lunch break, even if it’s just 20 minutes
Shut your door or go to a meeting room, close the door and set your alarm for 10 or 20 minutes, close your eyes and just stop, meditate if you can
4. FINANCIAL
Work-related health issues mean more time spent seeing and paying for health professionals. By creating a holistically healthy work environment, you can have more money in your pocket by avoiding endless trips to physios for back pain, doctors and medications for colds and flu and psychologists for discontent.