Nine Tips for Staying Healthy at a Desk-Job
- Jackie Vermeulen
- Jul 12, 2016
- 2 min read
The trick to staying healthy at a desk job is to get yourself moving and feed your body the good stuff. Here are some ideas to help you pump up the spinny-chair routine:
1. Stand up.
Ask for a standing desk and spend half an hour standing and half an hour sitting. Repeat. Need to work up to it? Stand up every time you go through your inbox.
2. Drink up.
Keep a refillable water bottle at your desk. Drink up. And when the bottle is half full (like your attitude!), go to the water cooler and fill it.
3. Walk and talk.
See if you can arrange a walking meeting instead of a sitting and talking meeting. Head outside for some sunshine or make your way through the hallways…just be sure to keep your voice on the down-low.
4. Snack.
Keep healthy snacks handy to resist the urge to visit the vending machine every day during your 2PM slump.
5. Use the loo.
Get up and go to the bathroom. We know you’ll do it anyways, but separate this from your water cooler trip to get more steps in. Which, speaking of steps, consider getting an activity tracker to inspire you to get moving.
6. Step out.
Go outside to get fresh air. Make a phone call outside during your lunch break or run out to your car.
7. Find a new spot.
Work away from your desk when you can. In addition to getting you moving, it will also give you a fresh start for productivity.
8. Make your own lunch.
Brown bag it to keep your wallet and your waistline healthy. Plan out your lunches and go to the grocery store on Sunday and pick up what you need for the week. Of course plan treat yourself to a meal out one or two days a week; you deserve it.
9. Reconsider your coffee routine.
Reduce the creamer and sugar you put in your coffee. As a *wise person once said, “Drinking coffee is not about the taste, but rather, about the experience.” We promise you’ll become accustomed to the taste and feel better about your caffeine habit too.
Okay, so you might not earn that six pack in the office, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t switch up your routine to help counteract sitting on your bum in front of the computer all day. Little changes add up to a big difference after all.
*That wise person was me.
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Jackie Vermeulen is the founder of The Career Mint. She works closely with mentors and some off-site experts to address the hard-hitting career topics in articles like the one you’re reading now.
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