I had previously started a post about my workplace snacks – and then I heard that Nuts.com was looking for Workplace Health Hacks. While the snack post will wait for another day, I thought that I would Think Out Loud, while sitting at my work desk (on my lunch break!) and muster up some Workplace Health “Hacks”. If your work is anything like mine, there are “snack days” practically once a week and having healthier options at hand is always a good thing! Be sure to check out the Healthy Snacks page at Nuts.com for more ideas for healthy, workplace snacking!
Park far away from the employee entrance
Starting the day off right! Park as far away from the employee entrance and get your steps in early. It is a little less desirable in these winter months, but getting those extra steps makes a difference 🙂
Sip on green tea rather than coffee
I keep all kinds of teas, especially green tea and honey at my desk – quick access to an afternoon pick-me-up (rather than coffee later in the day). Plus, green tea is just refreshing anytime of the day!
Get other coworkers involved
There are several ways to get your coworkers involved! One of the many is that you could take a group walk around the building, as the weather allows. A few of my coworkers take a walk to the local coffee shop down the street for a beverage pick-me-up! I also see other coworkers taking a leisurely walk around the perimeter of the building a couple times a day – anything to take a break from sitting at our desk for 10-15 minutes!
Tweet: What are your Workplace Health Hacks? #healthy #fitfluential #sweatpink
Stay hydrated
Keep a large water bottle at your desk and fill it up often. I keep a large water bottle at my desk and some additional water bottles in my mini refrigerator. Cold water always tastes better to me and I am more likely to drink water throughout the day if it is on hand.
Take a walk
Get up once an hour and take a walk – whether outside around the building, or up and down the halls or staircases. Make an effort to get more steps throughout the day. I have a step tracker that vibrates once an hour to get up and take a walk. Stretching my legs makes me more focused upon my return.
Often, I also use my lunch breaks for running time! Some of my routes are quite busy with traffic, while there is also linear trail access about a mile away for those nice, non-muddy days!
Keep healthy snacks on hand
Keep healthy snacking options at your desk or in a desk drawer. If you work is anything like mine, there are “snack” days quite often that are full of sugary snacks and treats (or the morning doughnuts someone brought for the team!).
My go-to options fresh fruits, nuts, dried fruits, seeds, whole food snack bars, and different flavors of tea.
I also meal prep healthy lunch and snack choices to bring daily. I pre-pack mixed fresh cut vegetables, keep fresh fruit on hand, divide yogurt into single portions, and divide leftovers for lunches.
Take the stairs
Since I work on the ground level, I do not need to take the stairs often. But when I take a walk around the building, I am sure to take the stairs a couple of times to change up my walking routine around the building.
Disclaimer: I was asked to participate in a conversation about healthy workplace hacks by Nuts.com, but I was not compensated in any way. All opinions here are solely my own.
What do you do to stay “healthy” in the workplace?
I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and start a conversation!
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When I commuted to school, I always parked as far as I could to walk a little further. Plus, I never had to drive in circles looking for a good spot!
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True that! This winter makes it a little less desirable 😦
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Love these tips! I always keep healthy snacks on hand (I get super crabby if I don’t eat on the reg), and I try to make sure that I get up and stretch every so often if I’ve been sitting for too long. Nothing tires me out more than super looooong periods of inactivity.
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True that! I have a lot of snacks at my desk…and I am always eating 🙂
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These are such great tips. I love parking farther (sometimes), taking the stairs, dropping and doing a couple of pushups, etcetra… Thankful for a body created to move.
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I try to get up and take a walk once an hour…whether it is a longer walk around the building or just a smaller jaunt 🙂 Parking farther away is tough this week due to the bitter cold and wind 😦
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I don’t work in an office anymore but when I did, I always drank a lot of water. Not drinking coffee is something I don’t forsee myself giving up but drinking more water I can do.
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I don’t rely on coffee like some people do…similar to soda, I just enjoy the taste 🙂 I love love love my bulletproof coffee in the early morning 🙂
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I used to be great about getting up & walking every hour…and then my Fitbit died & somehow it all stopped. Now I have a heated blanket at my desk since the office is cold & I never want to get up because I am so warm & cozy. I’ll take this as my cue to get up & take a lap around the floor
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I also have a cold office! As of the past month, we are working on OSHA reaccreditation, no “heated things” (space heater, blankets, USB plugged warm things) are allowed now 😦 I have a plain-Jane fleece blanket at my desk now…but I just find myself wearing my coat most of the day. It almost forces me to get my blood pumping to warm myself up 🙂
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I so wish I could just get up and take a walk, but they frown on teachers leaving the classroom ;0). Thanks for the workplace hacks – I’m glad I was able to drop in from the blog hop!
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That is a tough one! Being a teacher, are you on your feet quite a bit? Other than the walking, the other hacks would be feasible 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
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These are all such great tips! I am always looking for ways to stay healthy at work. It’s so easy to just go to the vending machine and eat M&M’s all day! I try to have a good snack, drink a lot of tea and water, and take walking breaks often. When we go to lunch I always push for places we can walk to!
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With a sit down job, I have to find ways to NOT attack the vending machines 🙂 Although, they have added some great options like fig bars, baked chips, cliff bars, and string cheese! Thanks for stopping by!
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I couldn’t agree more with this list! Especially for those stuck at a desk for nearly 8 hours. Great list. Love all of these and try really hard to follow everything you have on here. The healthy snacks on hand is usually where I fall short…
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I have a decent stash at my desk…but sometimes nothing sounds good and I just need to get an Oreo 🙂
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I work from home, but a lot of these could DEFINITELY still apply to me 🙂 I need to make myself get up and take a walk more often during the work day.
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If I worked from home, I am not sure I would get anything done 🙂 I would see the dishes and laundry and get sidetracked easily… Thanks for stopping by!
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I definitely need to drink more water. Sometimes it’s lunchtime before I have a drink so I think filling up a large bottle with water as soon as I get to work is a great idea.
I like green tea too and my new favourite is Moroccan mint which also has cardamom in it and is delicious.
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Mm mm, that tea sounds good 🙂 I have all kinds of tea at my desk, I am a fan of tea!
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At my last job people were always bringing in really good tasting but not so good for you food. To make up for it, I would do some of these things on your list. To this day, I always park far from the entrance to just about any place I’m going. I like to think it’s helping.
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Generally, I am the “lamewad” who brings fresh veggies and dip on snack days 🙂
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