Staying Healthy at Work

It can be difficult to stay healthy in the workplace. We all are probably guilty of bringing in goodies for our co-workers. It is also nice to have something to munch on at work. However, those extra calories can really add up, especially if we are sitting at a desk all day.

High calorie snacks and foods are usually the first things we see in the workplace. Doughnuts, bars, cookies and cakes are common pass arounds that we generally enjoy. These same foods however, are full of empty calories that will not actually help us to function at work. The extra sugar will provide a burst of energy, only to be followed by a crash and a tired feeling the rest of the work day.

One way to avoid this unhealthy habit is to bring healthy snacks instead. Try keeping dried fruit and nuts in your desk. Carrot sticks or whole wheat crackers are also healthy options that will actually provide more energy throughout the day than high calorie treats. Other options to bring to work are rice cakes, protein shakes, granola bites or fresh fruit. Apples are easy to store and stay fresh throughout the workweek.

It is also recommended to keep a bottle of water at your desk. Drinking water throughout the day means better hydration, fewer headaches and fewer cravings. Drinking water is also good for the digestive system. It may mean more trips to the bathroom, which also provides more circulation during the work day.

Another way to stay healthy in the workplace is to eat a balanced breakfast before work. This will prevent mid mornings indulgences in doughnuts or other sweet treats that will only leave you full of sugar and calories and hungry within a few hours. Having healthy snacks at hand or in your desk will also help if you don't have time to eat a well balanced breakfast.

Protein is also a great source to eat in the morning to allow for energy throughout the morning.

Another way to dodge the unhealthy habits at work is to do just that. Dodge them! For example, when someone brings in pizza, rather than heading to the back room, go for a walk outside. Going for a stroll on your lunch break is not only healthier than sitting around for another hour; it also gives you energy to last throughout the afternoon.

Also, bringing in a salad will help make sure your body gets the nutrients it needs, and you won't be as tempted to binge on pizza if you already have food in your stomach. Fat free yogurt is also a great food to curb hunger, neutralize your stomach acids and provide calcium your body needs.

Another way to stay healthy at work is to bulk up on veggies. Celery sticks and broccoli will stay fresh for a few days and they are a great way to fill up and gain vitamins.

It is also a good idea to promote health and fitness at work. For example, gather up your co-workers for a 5K run/walk. This is a great way to build co-worker commodore and have a common goal. By pursuing fitness together, you may not hear so many groans when you bring in bowl of carrot sticks.

It is also a good idea to bring your workout clothes with you to work. That way you can head strait to the gym after work and you may even find that one of your co-workers could be a work out buddy as well. Accountability in working out is a great way to make sure you stick with it.

Other tips for staying healthy at work may seem kind of obvious, but the little things definitely add up. For example, park far away so that the brisk walk in and out of work will actually benefit you.

It is also a good idea to always take the stairs instead of using the elevator.

If you need to talk to one of your colleagues, go and talk to them rather than relying on emails and phone calls.

It is also a good idea to stretch throughout the work day, including back, ankles, neck, shoulders, wrists and legs. Keeping that blood circulating is key to prevent cramping.