Our nutritionist Shannon Young shares her top tips for staying healthy at work.
You spend a lot of time at work so it is important to keep your health in mind during the week, especially as more and more studies have proven that healthy employees are more productive and have increased determination.So why don’t we spend more time looking after ourselves whilst at work? Unfortunately “lack of time” is the number one answer. But it doesn’t take a lot of time to support healthier options. Below are five simple solutions to add to your workweek to stay healthy at work.
Eat a healthy lunch
Food has a direct impact on our cognitive performance, which is why a poor decision at lunch can derail an entire afternoon. Taking a lunch break and nourishing the brain with healthy food will mean a more productive afternoon and will have a positive impact on both physical and emotional wellbeing. Be sure to include a colourful selection of vegetables, good quality protein and fats.
Stay hydrated
Our brains depend on proper hydration to function optimally and dehydration can have a negative impact on your ability to focus and can cause memory loss, brain fog and headaches, all of which aren’t ideal when you’re in a big meeting or trying to beat a deadline. Aim for 2-3 litres daily.
Snack right
Choosing the right snack can help you power through the afternoon and improve memory and focus. Choose something nutrient-packed like nuts and seeds which are great brain boosters, chock full of nutrients to help boost memory, concentration, motor skills, and mental clarity.
Move
This can range from just taking the stairs or walking over to your colleague’s desk instead of sending an email to going for a walk on your lunch break or doing a gym class – it doesn’t matter what it is… just move. Have you heard of a walking meeting? Get out of the boardroom and host a walking meeting. This will stimulate blood flow and get the creative juices flowing.
Manage stress
Take breaks throughout the day to recharge and encourage your team to do the same. These short breaks throughout the day increase your productivity, meaning you will actually get more work done in the long run. Deep breathing breaks and short walks outside the office are fantastic ways to quickly combat stress and in the long run and will see your overall productivity increase.
