
How to Prioritize Health in the Workplace— Even on a Busy Schedule
Workplace health is more than just having a clean breakroom or offering a discount for using the gym. It’s all about supporting your physical and mental well-being, even when there is a heavy workload.
Whether you work in the office, on the road, or remotely, it’s essential to stay healthy at work.
You don’t need to change your lifestyle to do this either. Just small changes can make you feel better, stay focused, and prevent work burnout. Let’s explore this more below:
Move More During the Day
Sitting for hours at a time can affect your body more than you probably know. It slows your circulation, tightens muscles, and drains your energy.
Adding movement doesn’t mean you need to use hours of your day; it means you need to find ways to move during the day. Stand while you are taking calls. Stretch your back and shoulders every few hours. Walk on your lunch break or around the office. Even five minutes every hour can help you improve circulation and your focus.
If you are on the road, especially for long journeys like owner-operators or delivery workers, it’s important for you to do a few stretches when you stop or to take a short walk before you sit down to eat.
Those breaks help a lot more than you might think.
Eat Like You Want to Feel
Food has a huge impact on your energy, focus, and mood. That vending machine snacks might feel like it is quick and easy to grab however, it’s not going to get you far. Try to get something in that keeps you feeling full adn clear-minded.
Choose whole foods like protein, whole grains, and nuts. Keep snacks like almonds, protein bars, or fruit within reach so you can stay active and focused.
Hydration is also really important; try to keep a refillable water bottle handy so you can sip it throughout the day. A coffee from the drive-thru might seem tempting, however, it’s not going to do anything for you.
Protect Your Mental Health
Ork can be overwhelming at times; there are deadlines to meet, long shifts, and pressure. You’re not weak if you feel stressed out because of this. What matters is how you respond to this stress.
Start by setting clear boundaries where possible. Don’t skip on your breaks, and don’t answer emails out of work time if you don’t have to. Also, try not to take on every task.
If you are managing your own business or working independently, it’s even more important to make sure you are checking yourself. Owner-operators for example, carry a unique workload. They have long hours, physical strain, and finanaicl pressure. Access to health care can have a huge difference both mentally and physically.
If that’s you, explore your options for owner-operator health insurance so you’re always covered.
Finally
You don’t need to wait for the weekend to arrive for you to feel good. With a few changes like more movement, good food choices, and regular breaks, you can easily take good care of yourself while you work.