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Practicing Wellness in the Workplace

Practicing Wellness in the Workplace

Spending eight hours a day, five days a week, sat at your desk and staring at a computer screen can have a negative impact on both your physical and mental health. There are many ways to practice wellness at work to help keep your mind and body in tiptop condition, so we’ve put together a few simple tips.

Drink plenty of water

There are many reasons that drinking enough water is important for your wellness, but we think the most important are these: staying hydrated has a major effect on your energy levels and brain power – both important for you to be productive at work. Water can also prevent and treat headaches. You know the kind of headache brought on by being sat at your desk, staring at the screen in a slightly stuffy room… ensuring that you drink enough water might just be the answer to your problem. Each of the breakout areas at Unity Moorgate is fitted with Brita Vivreau taps which provide chilled sparkling and still water at the press of a button so there are no excuses for not keeping yourself topped up.

Exercise is key

Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and clear your mind, as well as keep your body fit and active. Our office space in Moorgate is neighboured by Finsbury Square Garden which is perfect for a lunchtime stroll. There are also plenty of gyms in close proximity: Barry’s Bootcamp, Fitness First, Kobox and PureGym are all close enough to squeeze in an afternoon workout.

Take short breaks

It’s a good idea to take a short break every 90-120 minutes, this gives your brain time to reset after a long period of concentration and a good excuse to make a tea, stretch your legs and make conversation about something unrelated to the task at hand. When we say breaks, we mean short breaks, not time wasting… a few minutes away from your desk will prevent boredom and allow you to resume with a fresh set of eyes, a clearer mind, and most importantly, a hot cup of tea!

Food for thought

In our previous blog post, we spoke about the best foods to boost productivity and concentration. The food we consume can have a direct impact on the way we feel and perform at work, so we champion a healthy lunch, packed with “brain foods” such as vegetables, eggs and fish. Maintaining a healthy diet will also help your immune system to protect you from the dreaded office cold that seems to go around every few weeks – nobody wants to be coughing and sneezing at work if they can help it, especially if it interferes with your evenings and weekends outside of work.

Stretch it out

Sometimes sitting at your desk all day can leave you feeling tense and chair-shaped. As well as getting out and moving your legs at lunchtimes, an easy way to stretch-out and fix your posture is by practising desk yoga. Simple (and very discreet) moves such as spinal twists, shoulder opening, and side bends will leave you sitting taller and feeling good. We found a great blog article that explains desk yoga poses in detail. Have a read here.

Take time off

Your holiday allowance is there for a reason, and should be viewed as a necessity, not a luxury. Everybody needs time to fully disconnect from work and enjoy quality time with friends, family, or even just yourself. It’s important for our mental health and wellbeing to be able to shut off from the stress of daily work life and relax without the risk of burning out. At these times, whether you’re abroad or staying in the comfort of your own home, stepping away from work devices is essential… no work-related emails or calls allowed!