5 Simple Tips to Help You Stay Healthy in the Office

Given the choice, very few of us would choose to spend a large part of our waking lives staring at a computer screen in an artificially lit office that’s devoid of fresh air. However, while we may not have much say about the type of environment we work in, we do have the autonomy to take small steps to make it a happier and healthier place to be.

With that in mind, here are five simple steps you can take to make your time in the office happier, healthier and more productive.

1. Eat healthily

While you’re confined to a desk, you may as well take the opportunity to hit your five or ten a day so you can be a little less health-conscious outside of work. There are online providers that specialise in delivering baskets of fresh fruit to corporate workplaces across the UK. If you and your colleagues can persuade your boss that it’s a perk you’ll really value, you might even get your fresh fruit for free!

2. Try standing

It’ll come as no surprise to most of you that sitting for 40 hours a week isn’t particularly good for your health. Standing desks are not just a trendy fad. They can help to alleviate the problems associated with spending long periods of time sitting down. As well as giving you more freedom to move around, they’ve also been proven to reduce the risk of shoulder and back pain considerably.

3. Take the stairs

If you’ve been sitting down all day, it seems a strange decision to take the lift rather than the stairs. Taking the stairs is an option that’s almost always available, and if you do it consistently, you’ll certainly feel the benefit.

4. Drink plenty of water

There’s no excuse for being dehydrated in the office. A universal perk for all office workers is access to unlimited tap water, so you may as well make the most of it. Water will help to fill your stomach and keep your mind off sugary and unhealthy snacks. It’s also a much healthier alternative to fizzy drinks and coffee and helps to fend off the sleepiness caused by dehydration. If you’re bored of plain water, drop some lemon, lime or cucumber slices in your water bottle to give it a healthy kick.

5. Do plenty of exercise outside of work

If you’re fortunate enough to be able to walk or cycle to work, make sure you do. Millions of people would love to be in your position, so please don’t waste it. If you’re not, going for a run, brisk walk or a cycle before or after work is a great way to unload the stress of the workday, get some fresh air and give your eyes and brain a much-needed break from all that blue light.

How do you stay healthy at work? Please share your tips with our readers in the comments below.