With the New Year on its way, a lot of people are looking at ways to make the next decade healthier than ever. Unfortunately, for many of us, work can get in the way of our health ambitions, especially if you work in an office. There are many downsides to office work but sitting for hours tends to be one of the biggest problems. These ten ideas can actually help you make your home or work office more efficient for you and your health. This will allow you to truly transform the way you feel about yourself, your office, and your overall health goals.
1. Invest in a Standing Desk
Without a doubt, a standing desk is one of the best things you can do with your office. This remarkable desk can help you in so many ways, which will make you feel amazing about your work and your fitness goals. A standing desk offers many great options for you. For instance, it will allow you to stand and work, so you don’t spend hours sitting each day. This can work wonders for your heart. However, there are desks that can allow you to go back and forth between sitting and standing. This can be more convenient for many offices, especially if you have to hold meetings. Standing while working can do lots for your health though and can even help with your concentration levels. This can truly make you feel excited about getting healthy and your work.
2. Exercise Ball Chair
If you’re not crazy about the standing desk, or you still want to practice fitness when you’re sitting, then an exercise ball chair is the perfect way to do so. There are so many great options for this too. The first option is a special chair which is made with an exercise ball. This chair offers a smaller ball that takes the place of the cushion of the chair. These chairs still offer back support but will also help you work out your core. If you don’t want to spend the money on a pricey chair, then you might consider just using an exercise ball. This ball will work out your core, while also helping you burn some calories during your work period.
3. Consider Lighting
Lighting can make a huge difference in your office too. So, when you plan out your furniture, you might try to place your desk by a window. This will allow you to get natural lighting that will truly help with your eyes as you work on a screen or read and write. Apart from benefitting your eyes, you will also receive vitamin D from the sunlight flowing in, which will help with your health and your mood. The nice sunlight can also help with productivity as it will help keep you awake and your mind active. If you can’t do sunlight, then consider using bulbs that are dim. These can truly make you sleepy and aren’t exactly the best for your vision either.
4. Invest in Blue Light Glasses
The lighting in your office isn’t the only thing that you should consider changing. You might also want to invest in glasses that block out blue light. It doesn’t matter if you have a prescription or not, you can purchase these glasses from most glasses’ vendors. If you don’t have a prescription, you can order the glasses in almost any style for a pretty cheap price. However, if you do have a prescription then all you really have to do is ask for a blue light coating on your glasses. This will add to the cost of your glasses, but it won’t be too much of an increase. You can also order glasses that go over your prescription if you don’t want to add the coating. These glasses are very important though, as blue light can damage your eyes. Since it is used on just about every device, then you will definitely get your money’s worth.
5. Remove Unhealthy Foods
When you work in an office, then there is a much better chance that you’re going to want to snack around. This can be a problem if you tend to go for things like chips, cookies, and so on. One of the smartest things you can do is eliminate unhealthy snacks in the area. Instead, keep healthier snack bars, fruits, vegetables and more nearby. If the rest of the office is on board, then you might petition to make the vending machines healthier, so temptation isn’t an option. You should also have water close by. Whether it is a water dispenser, or you have a reusable bottle at your desk, keeping hydrated can help you from even wanting to snack.
6. Install a Website Reminder
One of the best things you can do while in the office is actually free of charge. It is important to remember to stand up and rest your eyes throughout the day. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to remember to do this. If you’re dedicated to your health this year, then there are lots of great website apps to help you out. One will bring up a popup every 20 minutes as a reminder to look away from the computer for a few seconds. You can also find apps that will set an alarm, so you remember to stand up and move. Many will even have exercise techniques that are perfect for the office. Of course, there are also apps for your phone that do the same thing, but website apps are a lot less distracting for other workers. Plus, phone apps can also draw attention to things on your phone, which might leave you doing less work.
7. Rethink Your Wardrobe
You might not believe it, but your wardrobe can actually play a part of in your health. Clothes that fit poorly and are restricting might make you feel like you can’t move around. This can prevent you from getting any form of exercise while you’re working. Apart from that, it can also cause you to have poor posture, which can cause problems with your spine in the future. You don’t have to fight your company’s dress code though. In the last few years many companies have worked to make clothing that is business savvy, but still works wonders for movement. There are even yoga pant inspired business pants, which will change the way you feel about going to work.
8. Consider Posture Aid
As mentioned before, your posture can be a big deal when it comes to your health. That is why you might want to consider a posture aid to make your workday a lot healthier. This can be one of the best things that you do for yourself though, so make sure you try a few different options. One of the options simply slips over your back and shoulders. It will help offer structure, so you don’t feel the need to slouch. Of course, there are options that are a bit more tactical. For instance, there is a posture aid that will shock you every time you slouch. This works on a more psychological level, so you will basically train yourself that there is pain associated with slouching.
9. Add an Air Filter
Air quality can be a huge problem when it comes to your health. Unfortunately, it isn’t always an option to open a window. When you spend hours in a room with other people and no fresh air, your health can definitely take a plunge, as can your memento. One of the best ways to remedy this problem is to simply invest in an air filtration system. There are air purifiers that come in all shapes and sizes, which will truly make it easier for you to feel better about the air you’re breathing in. You might also consider getting a few plants. Some plants will actually filter out the air in your office, so you will feel much better and your health will thrive.
10. Walking Meetings
The office can be a stifling place at times too. With everyone sitting around and working, it might feel a bit tough to get creative. So, you might want to consider taking meetings while walking. Consider finding a path around the building that allows everyone to stretch their legs while working with ideas. If the weather is nice, then you might have a special path outside. This will allow you to easily get everyone at their best. If you don’t often find yourself holding meetings, but you do take many calls, then you might consider taking the calls while moving. If you use a tablet to keep notes and access information, you should be well on your way to feeling better in no time.
Without a doubt, there are many things that you can do to make your office more efficient. These ten tips are designed to help you find a few ways that work for you. Luckily, most of them will cost you nothing at all, which can truly make it easier to feel more efficient and healthier while at work.
