Wellness in the Workplace
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By Gigi Steel
s many of us are finally back at work, it’s important to remember to take care of ourselves just as much in the office as we did while we were working from home. There are many ways to stay healthy. Hand-washing always was and always will be the most important factor in the prevention of disease. It’s important to wash hands as soon as you get home, before eating, and after using the restroom. While hand-sanitizer can help, it doesn’t replace the effectiveness of a good hand-washing. Sanitizing wipes are great for getting rid of germs on surfaces. Take a swipe at your phone, desktop, pens, keyboard, and all surfaces where germs can live and grow. This habit will not only remove most of the germy-bugs, it will keep the dust bunnies from accumulating and may help with allergies. It’s best not to use anyone’s phone except your own, but if you must, try to wipe it off before placing it on your face. When we were in high school, the lunch bell rang and we were excited to take a break and go outside for a few minutes. Find your inner 15-yearold and follow that example. A little exercise and sunshine during the middle of the day can refresh your spirit and motivate you for the rest of the afternoon. For lunch, choose foods 8 | 50+ Living | August 2020
that won’t weigh you down or make you sleepy. A salad with a healthy protein source, or a sandwich with fresh vegetables will keep you satisfied and give you the sustenance you need for the afternoon. Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Our bodies need water to function properly. While it’s easy to get caught up in a project and forget to drink, it’s important to stay hydrated for mental clarity and to avoid feeling sluggish. Drinking water will also encourage you to get up from your desk frequently—if only to walk to the restroom. Speaking of getting up, do you know that sitting for extended hours at a time is considered to be as unhealthy as smoking and obesity? Sitting at a desk all day can leave you feeling exhausted. By the time you get home, you may feel so lethargic, the only thing you want to do is to plop down in front of the television. As many jobs require sitting, it’s important to find ways to work around this
