Wellness and self-care should always be top priority, and working long days behind a desk isn’t an excuse to push your health aside. No matter how much you exercise, sitting for excessively long periods of time is a risk factor for early death, a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found. Whether you work from a home office or sit in a corporate cubicle, there are things you can do to make your workplace better for your health and wellbeing. By prioritizing your day and being comfortable in your workplace, you can benefit greatly both mentally and physically. Here’s how to give your office life a health makeover.
Get Moving
The fact is, sitting for 90 minutes or more can decrease blood flow below the knees by 50 percent and reduce the flow of oxygen which increases the chance of clots. It’s time to move more than your fingers across the keyboard.
Take a walk around the office, stand up and stretch, or go for a walk around the block after picking up lunch. Challenge yourself to take the stairs when you can and incorporate standing into daily tasks such as taking phone calls or reading emails.
You could also try an unexpected meeting format by taking a walking meeting – get some fresh air and exercise with a colleague in lieu of a traditional seated office meeting or conference call.
Incorporate wellness into your workwear
We should all want to live our lives to the healthiest potential. In addition to making sleep, nutrition and exercise priorities, you can incorporate wellness into your lifestyle through the clothes you wear. For example, compression socks such as VIM & VIGR use graduated compression to increase the circulation of freshly oxygenated blood back into your legs, reducing achiness. That means a direct hit of oxygen to the brain—hello productivity! They also energize the legs, prevent swelling, and alleviate fatigue. VIM & VIGR socks come in four different fabric collections and a colorful range of fabrics and style that can seamlessly integrate with your workwear attire.
Makeover your workspace
For those of us who spend hours at a desk, it’s important to create an environment that is productive and inviting.
First things first, keep it clean. Your keyboard, mouse and phone are home to thousands of germs that can potentially make you sick, and who has time for that? Protect yourself and keep your space clean by disinfecting your desk and devices regularly.
Not only should your space be clean, but there are other ways to inspire wellness through your desk. Consider placing a small plant or succulent on your workspace. Bringing nature into your office can be a great way to inspire creativity and a feeling of wellness. You may also want to consider adding a few personal items. Decorating your desk can help you feel comfortable, which can help to reduce workplace stress and dissatisfaction.