Desk jobs are notorious for making it difficult to keep fit. When you work in a sedentary position all day, you may not be physically exhausted, but you can be mentally drained and still feel very tired. This can result in a significant lack of physical activity from office workers, which poses a number of health risks.
At Search4Local, we share a collective passion for health and wellness. Our team find many different ways to remain fit and healthy, and motivate themselves to live an active lifestyle. We’re going to share a few of our team’s tips and tricks to help you keep fit as an office worker.
Be Knowledgeable About Your Health
It’s easier to care about something when you know more about it. As well as that, you’ll be able to maintain your health more effectively when you know what you’re aiming for.
Everyone’s health needs will be different. Each body is unique. Some people have disabilities which may limit the amount of physical activity they’re capable of doing. Others may find that hobbies such as running are too stressful on their joints. Without knowing the amount of activity you should be doing, you could be at risk of overexerting yourself. Therefore, it’s important to take the time to consider your needs as an individual. Consulting with a healthcare professional or sports instructor may be helpful to aid you in setting goals which are manageable.
Managing Stress
Everyone will experience stress from time to time. There are many negative effects which stress can have on your health, including poor sleep, irritability, low mood and feelings that are difficult to cope with, among other things. Stress can be managed by asking others for help, talking with friends and through regular exercise.
Exercise can be a great way to help you manage stress regularly. After a long day’s work sat at a desk, it can feel very cathartic to get moving and take your mind off of work. Physical activity encourages your brain to release endorphins, which contribute to feelings of happiness and an improved sense of wellbeing.
Find A Hobby
A lot of Search4Local team members are passionate about their hobbies. We have groups of avid climbers, runners, aerialists, footballers and we even run team badminton sessions from time to time. What these activities have in common is that they’re often done in groups. This means that as well as getting some exercise in, our team also get some time to be social and bond over a shared activity.
Having a regular hobby is good fun for many reasons. Attending a weekly class means that you can track your progress, seeing improvement in your physical skill and ability over time. The more time you commit to a hobby, the better you get, and the more invested you get. This means that even after a long, hard day in the office, a lot of the Search4Local team can still muster up some energy to do the hobbies they love!
Get Up If You Need To
We want our employees to feel as though they can get up whenever they need to. Whether it’s to take a few minutes away from the screen, to make a cup of tea, grab something from your car or take a phone call, getting up and away from your desk every so often can do a world of good. We know that sitting down all day can make you feel a bit stiff and lethargic, so we encourage people to get up and take a few minutes for themselves if they need to. We’re all adults who are responsible enough to ensure the work is done, and sometimes we can feel more productive after a short break from sitting at a screen.
When it’s pleasant weather, some of the office will go outside to read, throw a frisbee or take a walk on their lunch break. We have a lovely green space outside which is perfect for enjoying in the sun. As well as that, there’s a few circular walks around the office which are easily completed during lunchtime and a great way to get some fresh air. A brisk walk is a great way to incorporate a little extra movement into your day and help you to keep fit.
Reduce Eye Strain
Anyone who uses a screen for extended periods of time should be conscious of eye strain. The symptoms of eye strain range from headaches through to itchiness and burning eyes. This can last for a few hours or even a few days, so it’s important to take care of your eyes if you feel an eye strain coming on.
Our employees can always take a breather from their desk and screen if they need to. As well as that, we remind our staff of a simple exercise which can help to keep your eyes focused and healthy. All you need to do is look at a far away object for around 30 seconds to refresh your eye muscles and give them a rest. Do this as many times as you need to. You can ease the pressure on your eyes and feel more relaxed.
Arrange Active Office Days
Search4Local’s operations team enjoy an annual Sports Day event. This involves fun activities such as three-legged racing, egg and spoon racing, a tug of war and even welly wanging! Sports Day is an excellent team building event, as well as being a fun way to let off some steam and get the blood pumping.
This year, we’ll also be sharing a healthy picnic (weather permitting) which will include sandwiches, plenty of fresh fruit, and a few tasty treats.
Written by Alice Farley
