Staying Healthy While Working In The 'New Normal'

After two years of working from home, and with the Covid surge ebbing, there is a shift to return to the workplace. With employees already suffering from a significant rise in mental distress and health issues from the pandemic, they are now anticipating implications on health due to return to the workplace.

While employers have begun taking their best efforts to support employees’ concerns and the need to return to the workplace, employees must take their own efforts to prioritise their health as staying healthy is just as important as getting things done.

Continue reading to know how taking these little steps can help you improve and maintain your health and well-being.

• Get moving: Simple changes like taking small breaks while working and moving around will help improve blood circulation, relieve strain on neck and back, and also burn a few calories. Participating in regular physical activity as possible throughout the rest of the day can help improve energy levels.
• Consume plenty of water: Lack of consuming sufficient water can lead to dehydration. It is the easiest way to remember to drink an adequate amount of water as it requires no extreme lifestyle changes. Fill up a jug and put it near your desk or try adding slices of fruit or vegetables to the drink to add flavour and add some extra vitamins.
• Socialise: The pandemic has restricted socialising with employees. However, the most important factor in guaranteeing lifespan is having friends. It is just as healthy for long-term health as quitting smoking. According to numerous studies, “employees with strong social connections are generally healthier”.
• Phone calls while walking: The brain basically fills in the blanks and you translate your emotional responses into physical movements. Walking or other physical gestures while talking on the phone at work is therefore an involuntary physiological response based on years of social conditioning.
• Minimise your coffee intake: Working long hours can create a strong temptation to stay alert and awake all the time. Unfortunately, excessive caffeine consumption is not a good long-term health strategy. Restricting coffee consumption to a reasonable level will improve health.
• Managing stress: Whether you go to work or not, the pandemic has most likely changed the working style. Fear, anxiety, and other strong emotions associated with this new disease can be overwhelming, and workplace stress can lead to burnout. Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness can assist in the maintenance of a strong, healthy workplace culture that is conducive to creativity and productivity.

Staying healthy requires effort. It can not be achieved overnight, which is why it is crucial to inculcate these habits into a daily routine. This will require long-term dedication and discipline but will reap many benefits in the long run in terms of mental and physical wellbeing.

“Make your health a priority, and the rest will fall into place.”

Disclaimer: This article is provided for information purposes only and should not be used to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for medical diagnosis and treatment.