Today is National Workplace Wellbeing Day. So, to celebrate, we decided to come up with a list of quick and easy things that you can do to add a little bit more zen into your workday (even if you’re crazy busy).
Rise and shine
Wellness starts from the moment you open your eyes. If you’re usually rushing around each morning then try to set your alarm ten minutes earlier. You might begrudge losing those extra few zzzs but starting the day on a calm, relaxed note can do wonders for your overall mood.
If possible make sure that you fill your room with natural light. Studies have shown that natural light boosts your productivity and can even help you to stay in shape.
Be grateful
If you usually spend your morning grumbling about the weather or complaining about all the work that you have to do that day then you are already setting yourself up for failure.
Instead, when you wake up in the morning try to think of three things that you are thankful for. Before you’ve looked at your phone or even got out of bed. Think, write, or say aloud three things that are great in your life. It might sound corny but little affirmations like these can have a huge effect on your wellness. Don’t believe me? Try it for one week and see how you feel.
Don’t check your email before work
Working from 9-5 has become working 24/7. We are all guilty of checking our emails out of hours. If you want to add some wellness into your workday don’t grab your phone the minute you wake up. Reserve this time for your morning rituals: showering, eating a healthy breakfast, spending time with your family, going for a walk. It’s important to set boundaries.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Not drinking enough water leaves us dehydrated and prone to aches and pains. It can also lead to fatigue, impaired concentration, light-headedness and mood swings.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is 3.7 liters for men and 2.7 for women. Keep a track of your intake by using a refillable water bottle during the day.
Go with the flow
Everyone has different flows of energy. Some people work great first thing in the morning while others tend to leave the majority of their work until two hours before hometime.
Figure out what time of day you feel most creative and productive. Schedule bigger projects during these peak times. Use your low energy time of day for smaller tasks like writing emails or organising presentations.
Be at one with nature
Okay, you don’t need to braid flowers into your hair or frolick around a field at lunchtime but having natural elements in your workspace can have a huge effect on your wellness.
Get outside
Sitting at a desk or standing behind a counter all day is not great for your overall wellbeing. At lunchtime try to fit in at least a 15-minute walk around the block. Research has shown that people who are more active during the day feel more alert, confident and energetic compared to their sedentary counterparts.
A study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports found that people who walked three times a week during lunch felt a lot better. The study shows that they were less tense, had more enthusiasm and were more relaxed too.
Declutter
Albert Einstein once said, “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”
Your workspace is important. While it’s totally fine to have a few personal mementos on your desk you don’t want to create a messy work environment which can be distracting for yourself and others.
You should also ensure your chair is adjusted to your height so that it supports good posture.
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