Most of us spend much of our adult lives working in an office and sitting at our desks. Unfortunately, this can lead to a slew of bad habits that can negatively impact our health. The following list outlines the unhealthiest habits and what you can do to combat them to improve your health and your work life.
Sitting Too Long
Almost everyone is guilty of this bad habit. Sitting at your desk for too long can negatively impact your health. Some even say that sitting is the new smoking. Sitting can lead to an increase in obesity, various types of cancers, diabetes, and heart disease. Researchers believe that standing at your desk, or creating a standing-optional workspace, can combat these negative health effects and lead to overall better posture.
Bad Posture
If you are sitting in front of your computer all day and don’t have an ergonomically workstation, you might be guilty of having bad posture. If you are slouching, it can negatively impact your mood and put a greater strain on your upper body. This strain can eventually lead to back, neck, and shoulder pain, all of which decreases your productivity (and makes your work day longer).
Not Taking Breaks
Sometimes, work days are packed with to-do lists and never-ending meetings. Because of this workload, we might skip on taking a much-needed break. Attention spans are limited, and in order to refresh our focus, it is essential to take a break to rejuvenate our energy. In the long run, this will make your workday feel shorter. Not only that, taking healthy snacks to work will uplift your mood, give you good energy, and prevent energy crashes that can come with sugary and carb-filled snacks. Going walking after eating lunch will also boost vitamin D levels, help your digestive system, and improve your immune system. Next time you feel tired, take a walk instead of going for a cup of coffee.
Drinking Too Much Coffee and Not Enough Water
Drinking coffee can help you focus and stay on track, but exceeding the recommended dose can be harmful to your health. Drinking too much coffee can cause anxiety, headaches, and heart palpations. Instead of going for another cup of coffee mid-afternoon, grab a glass of water to rehydrate. Staying hydrated is good for your skin, improves cognitive functioning, and improves energy levels. Also, it can aid weight loss and improve your digestive health.
Skipping or Not Eating a Healthy Meal
Breakfast can be an easy thing to ignore. It might seem harmless to just grab a bag of chips instead of eating a full, healthy meal, but by doing this, you are decreasing your energy levels, which will make your productivity drop. Instead, you should eat a balanced, nutrient-rich meal to improve your health and boost your metabolism. For breakfast, try making a fantastic California omelet. Packed with protein and nutrient-rich vegetables, this meal will start your day off right. Tuna salad jars are a perfect way to prepare lunch that you can grab and eat on the go. Or, in ten minutes you can make a poke salad, which is a delicious way to beat the upcoming summer heat. Poke salads are layered with colorful vegetables and omega-rich tuna. Both lunches will give you the energy you need to stay focused for the rest of the afternoon.
