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Health
68 | FireFlyz
Sitting in an office all day is not good for the body or themind, yet that is the reality of
the 9 to 5 formost of us. Howcan you keep healthy and active atwork?
W o r d s :
S a r a h R e e s
contraptions that help raise a workstation, but if your company
cannot afford that simply prop your computer up on a box at
the correct height and stretch those legs. Standing up also burns
more calories than sitting down, so it is win-win!
Mindful eating
It has been suggested that the rising levels of obesity are linked
to long periods sitting down, as office workers eat too much and
move too little, causing weight gain. Be mindful of what you are
eating each day and try to plan for a healthy but filling lunch.
Bringing your own lunch is the best option, saving you money
and also ensuring that you are eating good, nourishing food.
Restaurant-bought food often contains a lot of salt and fat, both
of which are bad in large quantities. Avoid eating junk foodwhen
bored and have a healthy snack instead.
Hydrate
Remember to drink plenty of water during the day. Drinking
plenty can help you stay alert and stop you eating more than you
need, as we often misinterpret thirst as hunger. Air conditioning
systems in offices can dry out the mouth and throat, so you may
need to drink extra water when at work than during non-work
days. Keep a bottle of water on your desk so you do not forget
to hydrate.
S
itting
down is the new smoking, but many
people have no choice but to spend their work-
ing weeks sitting at a desk for hours each day.
Why is sitting down so bad for your health? Not
only can sitting for extended periods be bad for
your muscles and your back (especially if you
have bad posture), it can also lead to weight
gain and has been linked to depression and an increased risk of
heart disease, diabetes and varicose veins.
Sitting still is not the only thing about office life that threatens
health and wellbeing – add in germs and stress and office work
suddenly seems a pretty risky business! There are some simple
ways to look after your body and mind in an office to ensure you
do not pay for your job with your health.
Move unnecessarily
Try and build in as much exercise as you can into your daily tasks
and routines. Take the stairs instead of the lift, go and speak to
someone instead of sending them an email, and make sure your
lunchbreak involves a walk.
Stand up
Avoid the discomfort and muscle damage of sitting in a chair all
day by spending a few hours standing to work. There are clever
Risky Business