Work has gradually bled into people’s personal lives that it’s getting hard to find the boundary between the two aspects, to the detriment of many workers. The modern employee’s workaholic attitude has led to the development of unhealthy habits, including sleeping late, having an unhealthy diet, and not taking time to destress.
Everywhere you go, it seems like people are always talking about productivity and how important it is to be productive at all times. Many have forgotten that people also need to slow down, reflect, and rest to continue operating at their best. Instead of helping you, extreme productivity will only prevent you from being productive instead and, more importantly, gradually destroy your health, physically and mentally.
Maintaining healthy habits and taking time to rest and recover are also tremendously important so you can stay in top form and continue to be productive at work.
Bring Your Own Food and Snacks
At work, you’re more likely to make unhealthy food choices with convenience of nearby fast food chains, vending machines, and takeout food. You can avoid these temptations by taking your homemade food and snacks to work.
If you don’t have the time to cook every day, batch cooking on the weekend helps you save time and money. There lots of batch-cooking recipes that are easy and cheap to make. Making your own food will not only help you more nutritious food but also let you control your portions better.
For the healthiest lunches and snacks, focus on lean meats, fish, legumes, lentils, fruits, and vegetables. The American Heart Association recommends eating four servings of fruits and five servings of vegetables a day for a healthier heart and body.
Don’t Forget to Take Breaks
Many employees don’t take breaks at work because they’re worried that their boss won’t find them hardworking enough. Far from derailing your work, a break can actually make you more productive.
Taking a lunch break helps you recover your energy and declutter your mind so you can regain your focus and creativity and make good decisions. Moreover, you’re more likely to make healthier choices when you take regular breaks. You have more time to get a well-balanced meal and move around after sitting for hours.
Short regular breaks can do a lot to improve productivity, but anyone can get stressed and exhausted after working for a year or a longer time. Chronic stress has been known to affect a person’s physical and mental health. It weakens your immune system, so you easily get sick or feel tired all the time.
Many people who are overworked also feel inexplicable pains and soreness in their bodies. A good massage, regular exercise, warm baths, and more rest can help immensely. Using ice/heat massage balls on sore muscles can also help alleviate the body pains.
Long-term stress can also rewire how your brain works, reducing your ability to think clearly, solve problems, and make sound judgment. Long breaks are vital to stave off stress and burnout and help you continue performing at your best.
Do Something You Enjoy outside Work
Don’t let your job consume your life. Everyone must have something they enjoy doing outside work, something like a hobby or a sport.
A hobby or sport provides an outlet for emotions, ideas, and thoughts you can’t express at work. It also gives you something fun to do without the expectations of others, like those of your boss and coworkers, weighing you down. Hobbies also provide a wonderful sense of achievement and confidence boost.
Cycling is an increasingly popular hobby among young professionals. Not only is it fun and enjoyable, but it also helps you stay active. Many who’ve started cycling have come to love the activity so much that they invest in training tools and gadgets and practice weeks and months to improve their skills and performance.
If you’re not into outdoor hobbies, there are tons of indoor activities to help relieve your stress from work. Dancing is perfect for anyone who wants to stay active while doing something creative, artistic, and fun.
Today’s work environment may be all about speed, efficiency, and productivity, but it pays to slow down and make thoughtful decisions and changes sometimes. Even machines have their downtime. People also need to rest and recuperate so they can replenish energy, focus, and creativity. You must take care of yourself first if you want to be healthier and more productive at work.
