4 Common Work Habits That Are Killing Your Health

Written By admin • 3 min read

Many of us spend our days at an office or a work environment and don’t realize that it’s easy to fall into some unhealthy habits. Whether you’re eating at your desk or under lots of stress, these habits can be very detrimental to your overall wellness. It’s time to change things up and start putting your health before your work!

1. Stress

It’s hard to believe but stress is actually one of the main causes of poor health. Studies have shown that forty-three percent of all adults suffer from negative health effects due to stress! Work stress can cause a number of things including insomnia and over-eating which will lead to weight gain, among other health complications. To relieve some of your stress and keep your health on track try staying active or taking a weekly yoga class. Open up to friends and family about how you’re feeling. When we’re stressed we tend to bottle everything up inside but connecting with others can help release some of that built up tension.

2. Eating at your Desk

Do you find yourself mindlessly eating at your desk throughout the day? This is another contributor to poor health habits in the office, especially if you’re snacking on things like chips and soda. Not only will you start to gain weight but you’ll notice a decrease in your energy levels which will eventually affect your work performance. Instead of staying at your desk, try grabbing a bite with a co-worker outside the office. Get yourself up and moving! If you enjoy making your own lunch just keep it light and nutritious and incorporate healthy, deskside snacks throughout the day. Some nutritious snack ideas include nuts, berries, celery and peanut butter, or a square of dark chocolate if you have a sweet tooth!

3. Skipping your Workout

One of the biggest reasons we skip our workouts is due to a lack of motivation. After a long day at the office it’s pretty common to want to just head home, plop on the couch and relax for the evening. It helps to workout early in the day when you’re energized rather than later when you’re feeling depleted. During your lunch break try adding in 20 minutes of movement whether it’s at a local gym or just a few laps around your office building. If you’re a morning person, maybe wake up an hour earlier so you can make the 6am bootcamp class at your local gym! And if you’re really in a pinch for time, try this 8-minute Power Workout! Exercising is known to increase your ability to focus so what could be a better way to start the day and get you ready for work.

4. Sitting for long periods of time

You may not realize that when you sit at your desk all day, you’re actually hurting your health. How can this be possible when you’re not doing anything but sitting? Exactly. According to Dr. James Levine, who’s studied the dangers of sedentary life for 15 years, “Spending more than just 6 hours a day sitting can increase your blood pressure and place you at greater risk for diabetes, obesity, depression, and certain types of cancer”. Don’t freak out just yet, because you have the power to change this. To get yourself moving, take 5 minute breaks throughout the day to stand up, stretch, and maybe stroll around the office. Instead of regular sit-down meetings, take a walk around the block with your colleagues. Take the stairs instead of the elevator!

You have all the tools to improve your health at work and avoid falling into some of these bad habits. It’s all about creating a healthy environment for your mind and your body, especially when you spend most of your time at work. Make it a priority or, better yet, make you a priority.