Even if you work out over weekends, if you’re tucking into takeouts and sitting most of the day at work, your office could make you overweight and sick.
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What’s so bad about a season of sloth?
Well, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA), it can increase our risk for life-threatening chronic diseases, like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and stroke.The good news is that 80% of heart disease and strokes are preventable and all it takes is a few lifestyle changes.
5 Ways to boost your health at work
It’s tempting when a birthday cake is shared and colleagues offer to pick up take-out lunch, but that’s not the real reason that working in an office can make us fat and sick – it’s a lack of planning.Since it’s Corporate Wellness Week (2 – 6 July), let’s plan to put a few new healthy habits to work:
1. Pack lunch. Save your waistline and some cash by packing a healthy lunch, instead of splurging out on daily takeouts. It could be as simple as a whole-wheat sandwich and a salad or leftover roast veg and chicken from last night’s dinner.
2. Step it up and walk it out. Opt for the stairs instead of the lift – it’s a great way to work towards the minimum recommendation of 150 minutes of physical exercise per week.Make it a habit to take a walk during your lunch break, especially if your job requires you to sit most of the day. If you don’t like the outdoor surroundings, join a nearby gym where you can either jump on a treadmill or take a yoga-, Pilates- or dance class.
Not only is this a great way to sneak in some exercise, but regular exercise can help you unwind, feel energised, and has even been found to slow down ageing.
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3. Drink up. Aim to drink close to eight glasses of water a day. If you find it hard, try infusing water with pieces of fresh fruit.
4. Power snack. Pack in a few power snacks to keep you going throughout the day. Fresh fruit, unsweetened yoghurt, unsalted nuts and fresh cut veggies with hummus, are all great snacks to help you fight the urge to hit the vending machine.
5. Have a little LOL. It’s amazing how sharing a good laugh with colleagues can change an office atmosphere in an instant. Sharing a joke now and then can help lighten the mood and boost morale. It’s also a great stress reliever.
