Aug
20
2015
Being healthy at work: my guide
By Lauren Scally.
Did you know we consume at least a third of our daily calorie intake while at work?
Do you feel yourself reaching for that doughnut come 3pm? Of course everyone’s allowed a treat, but maybe try swapping it for some nuts or dried fruit. You need brain booster foods to get you through your day: there are a variety of different snacks that help fuel performance, including foods packed high with protein. It’s important to drink plenty of water, as dehydration can cause headaches, performance problems and make us feel sluggish.
Being healthy isn’t always about eating the right foods; it’s about striking the right balance between regular physical activity and healthy eating.
Many of us have a long and tiring commute, but you can build exercise into your working day. Maybe consider cycling in? Taking the stairs instead of the lift? Getting off one bus or tube stop before your final destination?
How good is your health?
Answer these questions in your head:
- Do you have enough energy to fulfill daily tasks?
- Do you get enough rest?
- Do you eat the right kinds of foods?
- Do you feel well and fit?
- Are you under stress?
- Do you enjoy life?
- Do you feel at peace?
All these questions reassemble to form three components to good health:
- Physical health
- Mental health
- Spiritual health
If you hesitated to answer one of the above then you need to take more care of yourself. It is important for all colleagues to take care and ‘do something you love’ – if you feel under pressure, treat yourself to a massage or even a relaxing weekend: you could even get your work to organise some stress management or mindfulness training. The Centre deliver courses on both of these topics, and we have had great client feedback from them.
Good health at work
Businesses need to create and nurture a healthy work environment in order to attract the best talent. The workplace should be a healthy and stress-free environment to work in (although this isn’t always the case).
The workplace is a setting where we spend the largest proportion of our time and therefore it can play a key role in contributing to the health of employees and, in turn, the organisation itself. At the Centre we have created a bright environment for delegates and staff, which ties in with our branding. It’s no surprise that the colours around you have an impact on your mood, and we love our bright office!
I love this quote from Katie Piper’s ‘365 affirmations for a year of positive thinking’:
“Treat your mind with the same respect you treat your body. Consider unhealthy thoughts the same way you do unhealthy food. Set limits and focus on what will nourish you.” Katie Piper
Get your colleagues involved in staying fit and well by joining a workplace scheme. One you could join is the ‘Workplace Challenge’, the aim of which is to promote sport, physical activity and health improvements across the UK’s workplaces.
Or you could sign up to ‘Health at Work’! Run by one of our clients, British Heart Foundation, the aim of the scheme is to promote workplace health and wellbeing. Join at www.bhf.org.uk/healthatwork.
Lauren Scally is the Centre's Team Administrator. She has a wide and varied role, providing help and support to the other team members.
