Stay Healthy for Better Productivity at Work!
June is Professional Wellness Month
We all want to do our best at work, but we can only do so when we are feeling well, both physically and mentally. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), depression interferes with a person’s ability to complete physical job tasks about 20% of the time and reduces cognitive performance about 35% of the time.
“It’s so important for employers to provide supports to help ensure their workforce is at their best,” says Melissa Fox, MHA, FACMPE, Chief Operating Officer, Acenda. “Mental health is just as important as physical well-being, so we need to have open communication with employees and create a culture of trust which allows them to feel comfortable discussing their concerns or seeking the support they may need.”
In honor of this month, we have 7 tips for you to maintain a healthy work-life balance and a healthy lifestyle at work:
- Make time for exercise. Even if you can only get out to take a short walk around the block on a break, moving is good for your body and can help clear your mind.
- Take time for self-care during the week. Spending time on yourself when you are home can improve your performance while you’re working.
- Stay connected. Reconnect with former colleagues and classmates on social media or by phone to hear about valuable knowledge and insights they’ve gained since you saw them last.
- Limit screen time. Try taking a short break from technology and screens over the weekend. It might be hard at first, but once you get used to it, it can be relaxing and raise your awareness of your surroundings.
- Maximize time-off. Make sure you use vacations to refresh your mind and body. Choose a good mix of relaxing, invigorating, and intriguing activities in your time away.
- Maintain good posture. If you work a desk job, your posture may be causing back and neck pain. Try to maintain good posture, adjust your computer or chair height to ease the angle, and get up and stretch when you’re feeling sore. You can’t be productive if you are uncomfortable.
- Eat Well. Get used to light lunches and try out meal prep. Eating big meals in the middle of the day can make you feel sluggish, so try to eat a mix of fresh produce and light protein to fuel the day. And if you can prepare meals ahead of time for the whole week, you will be less inclined to go for fast food.
“During this month, and every day of the year, we must make sure we are caring for ourselves so we can not only be at our best at work, but most importantly, be our best for our loved ones,” adds Fox. “Just following some of these tips can make a big difference in how much we can accomplish every day and how we feel about ourselves. Companies and organizations should also support their staff by offering employee assistance programs, open forums to discuss issues in the workplace and lifestyle coaching.”
If anxiety, depression, or stress is interfering with your productivity, we are here to help. Our clinicians are available for counseling and therapy services via our telehealth. Call our main number at 844-4-ACENDA (844-422-3632) for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Sources:
CDC
Forbes.com
Health.Harvard.edu