Healthy habits create a healthy life. We all know that doing things like regularly eating vegetables instead of hamburgers and exercising instead of watching TV on the couch will likely improve our health and can possibly even help us live longer.
Without distraction or other activities that take our time and attention, it would be so much easier to make positive choices throughout the day that impact our health. However, most of us spend the majority of our day at work, focused on any number of tasks. Because of this, it can be difficult to prioritize healthy habits. If you’re looking for a list of healthy habits to incorporate in your place of work, here are a few that you can try and begin implementing right away.
Get a Standing Desk
One of the easiest changes you can make that could have a big impact on your health is investing in a standing desk. Recent scientific studies show us that people who sit for extended hours have higher rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and may even die earlier than those who do not.
By using a standing desk for your health, you have the opportunity to move regularly while also getting your work done. The key is not just to stand, but to make sure that you’re moving throughout the day. UPDESK provides a range of electric standing desk options that are quiet, powerful, and easy to use so that you can stay focused on what’s important while still incorporating healthy habits into your work life.
Pack and Store Healthy Snacks
The vending machine: it always has snacks readily available to fix that afternoon dip in blood sugar, but most places of work don’t offer very healthy options. Instead of reaching for a few dollars and getting chips, candy, and other simple carbs, try packing a few snacks that you can keep in your desk so that you can have access to those when you need them. Nuts, peanut butter and crackers, cheese or baby carrots (if you can refrigerate them), and other items with a little bit of fat or protein that will help you feel fuller, longer.
If you’re just not able to bring your own snacks, talk to your HR department about contracting with companies that provide healthier vending machine options.
Walk or Workout During Your Lunch Break
Many people have found that using their lunch break to go for a walk instead of sitting in a break room and eating a sandwich is a wonderful way to incorporate healthy habits at work. Try bringing a friend or listening to a podcast for at least 30 minutes. You can eat at your desk or, if possible, bring a portable lunch and eat while you walk. You may be surprised to learn that there are many benefits of walking during the lunch hour and doing this a few times a week can make a difference in your overall health.
Quit Smoking and Vaping
It’s no secret that smoking is bad for your health, but even though they may know the risks, working professionals are still choosing to light up at alarming rates. Some have even opted to vape instead of smoke, believing that that is a healthier option. However, vaping carries its own health risks. If you smoke or vape, quitting may be the best thing that you can do for your overall health. Start researching and talk to your doctor about healthier replacement habits.
Go to the Doctor
If you’re fortunate enough to have health insurance, it’s important to use it! Take advantage of free preventative care and communicate with your employer that you need time to go to the doctor for these appointments. If you’re young and healthy, it can’t ever hurt to go to the doctor. However, your doctor may just catch something that could change your life. Make sure that you’re going to your yearly physicals, getting recommended immunizations, and talking to your doctor if you start to see any warning signs of physical issues.
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If you’re interested in exploring the personal benefits of using a standing desk for health at work, consider the various collections of electric standing desks from UPDESK. Talk to your HR department about the benefits employees experience by using standing desks so that your place of work can join health-minded companies like Apple, NASA, and more.
