Considering the proven benefits of an active lifestyle, it’s important to stay healthy not only for your physical well being, but for your work-life balance. Smart eating habits and routine exercise are sometimes easier said than done, especially when a busy workload starts to consume your life. Since our health affects our performance at work and we spend majority of our time there, it’s important to follow tips to stay healthy in the workplace. The following are a few simple, yet proven ways to do so.
1. Find a Workout Buddy
There’s a good chance you and your coworkers work the same schedule, so having a coworker as a workout partner may not only be very beneficial for accountability, but convenient for your schedule as well. If working out at home is more of your thing, you could always implement a custom fitness plan and still have an accountability partner to share your goals and successes with during the work day.
2. Take Advantage of Benefits
Check to see what types of benefits are offered within your company. Many companies offer wellness plans that may include a fitness coach, gym membership, or onsite exercise facilities to motivate you to stay healthy in the workplace. Find out what’s offered to you and take full advantage!
3. Utilize Breaks for Exercise
Believe it or not, you’re entitled to a break during working hours! Not only can a break help you destress from your workload, it can serve as a time to get some exercise in, which is especially helpful if you sit at a desk for most of the day. Even a 15 minute walk around the office building is better than no walk at all. Studies have shown that routine physical activity can reduce sick days by 45%, so get moving!
4. Pack Healthy Snacks
If you get hungry during the day and crave a snack, packing your own healthy, well-balanced options will help reduce the temptation to grab that piece of candy on your coworker’s desk or have one of those donuts sitting in the break room. Your body will thank you. In fact, studies have shown that good eating habits can increase attention spans, improve memory and boost well-being.
How do you stay healthy in the workplace?
Many thanks to Sodexo for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own!
Ashley says
I try to get up and walk around at least once every hour. I pack pretty healthy meals, but we have such a small office that my boss will cook breakfast or get lunch for everyone and even though I always tell him I don’t want something he brings me something anyways…then I feel bad if I waste it and then I feel bad I ate it. I have started saving most of the food he got me and eating it for dinner or something.
Sarah says
I always try to pack healthy lunches, but I often run out of time. Thankfully I live about 5 minutes away so I can run home for a healthy lunch 🙂
Sarah @ The Midwest Darling
Jasmin Saunders says
I love those tips. I work from home so I at least have the healthy snacks covered … the only problem with that is that I also have the not so healthy snacks available. LOL – the joys of working at home 🙂
Melanie@Toots + Dill says
I think I really need to invest in a fitness tracker that will nudge me when I haven’t gotten up in a few hours!! I’ve been trying to pack healthy snacks too and yup about the workout buddy! When I walk the girls in my accounting dept I feel so motivated!!! =)
Amanda says
You are so on point! I think it’s so important to workout and have a workout buddy – particularly on days when you just can’t seem to pull away from emails. Love it!
Amanda – TheFashionToFollow.com
Annie says
Loved this post! I definitely need a workout buddy to keep me motivated. I try to pack a healthy lunch but there are always so many temptations that I usually end up snacking throughout the day.
Tiffany says
Finding a buddy works wonders. A few years ago a few of us would go for a long walk together after work before we went home. It was nice to have company while you burned off a few extra calories after a long day!
Angie says
Yep, I sit on my butt all day long at work. I need to get more going in the way of being physical.
Melissa says
These are all fantastic tips- I also used to drink emergen-c and lots of water, it helps when you are around lots of other people all day! 🙂
January says
Oh I really need to be better at finding break times at work to go for a walk. Thanks for the kick in the bum.
xoxo
January
http://www.thebouncyponytail.com/
Sarah W. says
Great tips! What kind of snacks do you pack for the work place? XO, Sarah | http://www.thebellainsider.com/ | http://www.instagram.com/sarah_thebella
Natasha Kingsbury says
My biggest downfall while working a desk job was the snacks! If I came super prepared with my own I was good to go… BUT if I forgot my afternoon snack it was like I was starving and I would eat everything! Great tips, thanks for sharing! I love your blog design too 🙂
Liz @ The Clean Eating Couple says
Great tips! I’ve been trying to use all of my breaks to walk as much as possible! It’s so important!
Cristina says
Love this! I’m always wondering how I can improve my health when I spend so much of the day sitting and working or studying. I love the idea of packing healthy snacks so you always have something good to reach for!
X,
Cristina
cristinawashere.com
Kristin says
These are great ideas! My biggest problem is being tempted by the snacks!
Krista Williams says
For me it was the snacking, and being bored that really didn’t help at work! Plus you are sitting ALL DAY! It’s terrible. I am glad that I can stand and walk as much as possible – it helps.
It’s also good to see workplaces making more of an effort to prioritze this!
Lovely post, babe!
xo
Krista
http://www.hundredblog.com
Heather with WELLFITandFED says
I know several corporate environments that have really creative ways of getting their people moving. One had a random number generator stuck to a tree at the top of a long hike. If you recorded five of the numbers a week you got a cash bonus!
Lynn says
I’ve been working from home for almost 3 years now and gaining weight wasn’t a pretty sight. Utilizing breaks for exercise really works for me 🙂 I can unplug for 1-2 hours and come back energized to do more.
Rachel says
Great tips! I try to take a few minutes in the afternoon to walk with one of my coworkers. Breaks are always needed and it helps to get some fresh air and exercise!
chrystie says
Bringing my lunch has been my saving grace at work, otherwise I would be forced to go out to eat..and we all know where that leads!
Liv says
I’ve got a workout buddy (I work with my husband) – but I do have to work on healthier snacks!!
Cassandra says
Packing healthy snacks is my go-to for staying healthy in the workplace. I also love to take walking breaks whenever I can.