We spend a lot of time at work during our lifetime. The average worker will spend a third of their waking hours at their workplace. So, even if we have a relatively healthy lifestyle outside of work, what we do at work can make a real difference. Here are 5 tips for maintaining our health at well-being at work.

Sleep Well

This is kind of cheating since most people don’t sleep at work, but having good sleep hygiene is very important to maintaining good health. Sleep is nature’s way of helping our bodies’ heal, recharge and restore. According to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard University people who sleep poorly are at greater risk for a number of diseases and health problems. At work that can result in reduced efficiency and productivity, errors, and accidents.

Eat Well

The Mayo Clinic has studied what people eat and work and quite frankly, they’re not impressed. Here are a few suggestions that they make to help you eat well and feel better at work. They suggest packing your own lunch and avoiding the vending machines in the break room. Bring some fresh fruit and seasonal vegetables and control the portion size of your meals at work. Request better, and healthier foods in the company cafeteria. Eat better and feel better at work.

Reduce Your Stress

We can all benefit from getting rid of unwanted stress, especially at work. Don’t let it build up. One great tool for reducing stress immediately is some form of breathing exercise. It can be as simple as taking three long breaths and holding them before you exhale. Anything that will slow down your breathing will reduce your stress. Another good technique is to do some stretching or bending, or go for a quick walk around the building; get away from your worries, even for just a few minutes.

Keep Your Balance

The idea is to stay on an even keel at work. That includes learning to manage your emotions, particularly anger and frustration. It might be as simple as looking at how much sugar and caffeine you consume. Both are stimulants to our nervous system, and you have to watch how much you put into your body. Sugary drinks have no nutritional value and too much caffeine can make you restless, irritable and ornery. Who wants to work with somebody like that?

Leave Work at Work

Working late every day or working every weekend may be great for your personal sense of accomplishment. But without time to regenerate our bodies as well as our minds will eventually run out of gas. We need that downtime away from work to nurture ourselves and connect with our families and our communities. That in fact will make us better workers when we come back after the weekend. And when work is done, leave it there and go home. Until tomorrow.

You spend too much time at work not be healthy and happy too! If you’re not happy in your current job, or would like a better opportunity that offers more flexibility, contact our Southwestern Ontario manufacturing recruiters today!