We do whatever it takes to get the job done, but that can compromise our health without us even knowing it. Staying up late to finish a project, snacking on the office vending machine food and struggling to multitask are just some of the habits we pick up from work that make us literally sick. You know how burdensome a bad flu can be, so ditch these bad habits and take preventative measures to make sure you don’t make yourself sick at work.
Let’s start with the commute. Before you even get to work you may be putting yourself at risk to get sick on your commute. During the flu season, you want to be careful when you’re commuting in public spaces like buses and trains. Avoid sitting next to people coughing and sneezing. Keep a small hand sanitizer with you and apply it once you step off. Commuting in general can put you at risk for being overweight which brings along a slew of health issues. Staying sedentary on your commute, and continuing to stay sedentary at your office, doesn’t offer your body a lot of the exercise it needs. If you can, think about biking to work or even walking. If you can’t because you live too far, consider walking around your office block during work or going to work out right after work.
Long hours at work can drain you of energy, and all those late nights doing work aren’t good for your brain. You need a good seven to nine hours of sleep a night. If you aren’t well rested you’ll feel groggy and your ability to be attentive and productive at work will be weakened. The best solution for missed hours of sleep is to sleep and get them back. Try sneaking in a short nap during your lunch break. Also, try better time management skills so you won’t have to work late into the night.
In the mornings, a lot of us don’t eat breakfast and this is a huge mistake. I know, eating so early isn’t so appetizing, but skipping on food until lunch sets you up for failure. You’ll be super hungry by lunchtime and this leads many to go on a food binge and take in a lot of calories. Eating breakfast will boost your blood sugar and give you the energy you need to start the day right and keep your hunger satisfied until lunch. Oatmeal, fruit and egg whites are good breakfast options and don’t take that long to prepare.
Keeping on the subject of food, consider your take out lunches and snacks. The best way to eat a healthy lunch is if you prepare it yourself- this will also save you money. Prepare your lunch the night before to avoid feeling so rushed that you skip it altogether in the morning. Bring healthy snacks to work like nuts, fruit, fat free popcorn and vegetables. If you eat out, be smart about it and check the labels or menus online for nutritional information. Avoid soda at all costs. Iced tea and water with lemon are good choices.
Get up and move around at work. Sitting for all eight hours is exhausting. Just think about how you’d feel if you were riding in a car for eight hours- it’s just like that. Stand up and walk around to get your circulation going. Do some stretches and go outside for some fresh air. Sitting up straight instead of slumped will improve your posture and help you pay better attention. These are all great things you can do to avoid making yourself sick at work.
SOURCE: US News
IMAGE: Courtesy of Study Abroad blog
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