Is It Possible To Stay Healthy When You Have A Desk Job?

Staying healthy when you have a desk job seems like a tall order. After all, you’re sitting down all day and surrounded by temptations, like the cake trolley.

But if you set up your life in the right way, you can find ways to thrive. While you will be sedentary sometimes, that doesn’t mean you can’t put systems in place to protect yourself and ensure that you continue living the life you want to lead.

So, what must you do to stay healthy if you have a desk job? Here’s our advice:

Follow The 20-20-20 Rule

The first piece of advice is to follow the 20-20-20 rule. This says that every twenty minutes, you should look away from your screen for 20 seconds at something 20 feet away. The idea is to reduce the risk of eye strain and prevent a situation where you find yourself in pain.

You don’t have to follow the 20-20-20 rule precisely. It should still work even if you look at something 20 metres away or just glance away from your screen for a few seconds.

Take Breaks

You should also take regular breaks every 30 to 60 minutes. Sitting down for short intervals is usually okay, but doing it constantly for long periods of the day is when problems can start to emerge.

Going on short walks, for instance, can make a massive difference to your overall health, even if it’s only to the water dispenser or bathroom.

It can also help if you can simply transfer between one workspace and another, something more companies now offer.

Good Posture

It’s also a good idea to adopt a healthy posture. Getting your position wrong can leave your body out of alignment.

Generally, you want your shoulders relaxed and back straight. Putting your feet flat on the floor can also help you get your body into proper alignment.

Once you do that, check that your desk and chair are in the proper positions. You may get into trouble if the desk height is too high, or the chair is too low.

Don’t Snack

Snacking is an office worker’s worst enemy. Therefore, avoid it at all costs. It’s okay to feel hungry sometimes and wait for lunch. It can actually help you concentrate better on your work and get more done because your body isn’t focusing on processing food.

If you do decide to snack, make sure it’s something that’s natural whole food. For example, you could eat some nuts or keep salad items in a box next to your desk, just so you have something to chew on when you get peckish. The worst options are chocolate bars, cakes, and packets of chips. These don’t won’t contribute to healthy living at all.

Exercise At Work

Many companies are now promoting exercise in the workplace. And there’s a good reason for this: it works.

Try to get some exercise during the middle of the day. This way, you can keep your metabolism active and stave off some of the worst effects of sitting.