Are you putting in the hours at work on your way to the top? You go girl! However, climbing that corporate ladder can take its toll on your health. Sitting bent over a desk all day, drying air-conditioning and stress can all make you less than perky.
Not to worry! Here are some simple tips to keep you healthy while you’re working overtime.
Work it
It can be hard to find time for exercise if you work long hours, but these simple steps can easily be integrated into your daily routine:
1. Walk or cycle to work. If you take public transport, get off a few stops earlier and walk the rest of the way. Once inside, take the stairs instead of the lift.
2. After lunch, take a brisk walk around the block, or offer to be the one who goes out to get coffee. Walking gets your blood circulating and improves energy levels.
3. Instead of emailing a co-worker, walk over to them. Stand up when reading notes or talking on your phone.
These may seem like small things but they all add up when you don’t have time to hit the gym.
Loosen up
A common complaint among office workers is a stiff neck and shoulders from sitting hunched over a computer all day.
Take small breaks and avoid being hunched over the computer all day.
Keep your muscles loose with these simple stretches:
• Sitting tall in your chair, stretch both arms over your head and reach for the sky. After 10 seconds, extend the right hand higher, then the left.
• Put your left ear to your left shoulder, hold for 10 seconds, then do the same on the right side.
• Sitting up straight, slowly roll your shoulders forward ten times then backward ten times.
Doing these easy exercises at least once a day will help prevent aching joints when you get home. You can also try spritzing a bit of moisturiser onto your hands, and giving yourself a quick neck rub to loosen up.
Don’t dry out
Sitting in air conditioning all day can leave your skin parched, so use a spray-on moisturiser to get supple skin in just one spritz. The Vaseline Intensive Care Spray Moisturiser (read reviews here!) contains micro-droplets of Vaseline Jelly, which heals dry skin by locking the moisture in. This means your skin will stay soft and smooth throughout your work day and beyond. Plus, the product doesn’t leave a sticky, oily after feel, so you can go right back to typing after applying.
Give yourself a boost
Fight that afternoon slump with a healthy snack instead of reaching for the chocolate.
Put down the bar of chocolate. (Flickr/Siona Karen)
Tempting as it is, snacking on chocolate can lead to a rapid rise in blood sugar followed by a drop below normal levels, leaving you even more tired than before, and full of extra calories. Try a guilt-free, energy boosting bowl of fresh fruit and nuts instead, feeding your brain instead of your sweet tooth!
Fruits and nuts make a guilt-free perk-me-up snack! (Flickr/Migle)
By integrating these simple tips into your working hours you’ll soon see the difference in your appearance, energy levels and overall health!