Be Well at Work

By Laura Cleland

MEIGS COUNTY, Ohio – The Creating Healthy Communities Coalition presents 5 tips for creating a healthier workplace.

Drink plenty of water. Keep a reusable cup, bottle or canteen of water with you throughout the day. It is likely that by having the water available, your consumption will increase.

Benefits of water consumption include: Improved bodily function, such as digestion and strengthened immune system. Plus, it can save you money! Typically, water costs less in comparison to pop, coffee, tea, juice, energy drinks, etc.

Take breaks or stand. Choose to take short, frequent breaks or stand to increase productivity. Constant sitting can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and depression, among other things. If you feel your productivity is decreasing or you feel foggy, try stretching at your desk or walking around the office. Short bouts of physical activity will increase your blood flow and improve your concentration.

Pack your lunch. Utilize the days you are off work to plan for meals while you’re at work. Keep it simple, and make your favorite recipes! Pack your lunch the night before to reduce stress and prep-time in the mornings. If you can, purchase items fresh from a local farmer. This will support the local economy and ensure you’re getting full flavor, nutrient rich foods.

Keep it clean. Clean and disinfect your office to reduce germs and allergens. Provide hand sanitizer to customers or patrons entering your office or facility. Washing or sanitizing your hands can reduce the spread or severity of illnesses, like the flu, reducing the number of days absent. It may even be considerably more beneficial to look into a cleaning company that will clean commercial offices, such as https://www.greenfacilities.co.uk/office-cleaning/ and others, creating a cleaner working environment, increasing efficiency and decreasing the risk of employees becoming sick. It’s also a good idea to make sure your office/workplace is always tidy. No one likes working in a messy environment so ensuring it’s clean and tidy is the key to productivity. If you work in an environment where there is lots of paper everywhere, you may want to consider how to combat this issue to make the place less cluttered. Luckily, there are lots of things you can do! Some businesses choose to use document management software from websites like http://www.filecenterdms.com, to help business professionals deal with their daily inflow of paper.

Create a worksite wellness group. Find people who share the same goal of health to make your experience easier and more enjoyable. The group can host health screenings, walking challenges or exchange health lunch ideas. This will be your network of support to help with accountability and achieving your goals.

If you are interested in creating a healthier workplace and don’t know where to begin, contact Laura Cleland, Creating Healthy Communities Project Director at the Health Department (740) 992-6626 or [email protected]