How to Stay Healthy When You Work at a Desk

Getting in those few moments of physical activity and keeping up with a healthy lifestyle can be challenging when you work at a desk. When you are constantly in a sitting position for hours at a time, it becomes even more of a challenge. However, we are going to give some tips on how to overcome those challenges and stay healthy when you work at a desk.

Understand the Importance of Breaks

Taking a few breaks throughout the day to eat and unwind is great for your body, however, your physical wellbeing needs a little more structure than that. Hours of working at your desk can take a toll on you body.

Taking breaks helps you improve focus, while allowing your body a few moments of rest. Sitting down is comfortable, but too much sitting is not. Much like your mind, your body needs a break as well.

A great way to overcome this challenge is to take a walk, even if it’s just around your cubicle or in the parking lot. Stepping outside in the fresh air and allowing your body those few moments of walking is better for you than you may think!

Stretch in Place

Ever sat in the same position for too long and when you stretch it suddenly became the best feeling ever? We’ve all been there.

Stretching is great for allowing your body to loosen up, and stretch those muscles that may have been wound up and tightened as a result of being in one position for so long. Whether it is stretching your arms in an up right position, or leaning forward to give your back a break, stretching has many benefits.

We highly recommend!

Go the Extra Mile

The best way to maintain a healthy lifestyle despite working at a desk all day is to go the extra mile (metaphorically speaking that is).

Learning to ditch the elevator and take the stairs every now and then, as well as park a little further than directly in front of your work’s door are some great tips to have in mind when attempting to reach those daily amount of steps.

And trust me, your body will thank you!

Take Walking Lunches

Walking lunches are becoming increasingly popular among office-bound employees. Here at the clinic, for example, when practitioners have a moment or two they choose to take their lunch with them as they walk on our scenic route by the water.

30 minutes of brisk walking is more than enough to increase your heart-rate, giving it an important workout. Walking increases your serotonin and endorphin levels, making you happier and is also known to decrease your cholesterol levels as well as lower your blood pressure.

Keep those comfortable shoes handy, they will come in handy!

Adjust Your Monitor’s Brightness

Staring at a screen for long periods of time every day can have a negative impact on your eyesight as well as cause Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) which include vision problems directly related to prolonged computer use. 

Computer’s emit blue light emissions, which have a negative impact on your eyes. Ideally, your monitor’s screen should directly match the lighting in your work space.

Staring at blue light emissions constantly is not great for your eyes, and most computer’s have a setting where you are able to adjust the colour of your screen to mirror a warmer approach.

As well, Blue Light Glasses are available. Much like the system in your computer that has the ability to change your computer’s monitor, Blue Light Glasses are great for making your monitor have a warmer approach. They do not impact your eyes, and are very safe.

Water is Your New Best Friend

It’s easy to become dehydrated when you work behind a desk all day because subconsciously you might only relate liquid intake to physical activity. However, treating your desk job like a marathon is the best approach to include your daily dose of water intake!

Regardless of whether you are physically active or sedentary, studies show that you need to drink approximately eight glasses of water in order to stay healthy. Seem a little much? Not to worry! You can mix your favourite fruit for added flavour, all while consuming the suggested amount of water!

You may feel like you are faced with a myriad of health-related obstacles when working predominantly behind a desk. However, there are plenty of choices you can make and actions you can take to ensure that your health never suffers as a result of your sedentary job. By making small changes to your daily routine and incorporating new ones, you can improve your general health significantly even when sitting down for most of the day.