Stay healthy and encourage a healthy organisation

Our 5 health tips!

Staying healthy especially in a busy working environment can be difficult, especially during the colder months when coughs and sneezes become even more common, however there are are a few simple steps that you can take to keep you and the rest of your organisation healthy.

1. Wash Your Hands thoroughly and regularly

Good personal hygiene, especially hand hygiene, can really help prevent infections. Wash your hands every time you use the toilet and before you eat. You can pick up bacteria and infections from the surfaces you touch so try to avoid touching your mouth, nose and hair and if you do – wash your hands!  

Hygiene becomes even more important when you are unwell. Make sure you wash your hands if you cough or sneeze, and try to do this into your elbow rather than your hands, because your hands touch many surfaces and are a lethal weapon in the spread of infection.
You could also carry an alcohol based hand sanitiser or keep one in your work area so that you can sanitise your hands when washing them is not possible.

2. Keep your workspace clean

Your work space is likely to be full of surfaces that you and others touch regularly. Your phone and computer keyboard harbour bacteria and even if you are the only person that touches these surfaces, the bacteria you leave there can reinfect you.

3. Avoid coworkers who appear unwell

Many illnesses are passed through person to person touch or through the air. One sneeze can generate nearly 40,000 droplets that travel at an average speed of 95 mph (150kmh) for up to 2 feet (60cm). Being cautious and upping your own personal hygiene routine will help to protect you. If you are ill be considerate. If you can avoid highly populated places such as your work area you could help prevent the spread to others. 

4. Eat nutritiously and stay hydrated

You should aim to eat 5 portions (handfuls) of fruit or veg a day. Try to balance your meals well. A main meal should be 80% fruit and vegetables. Don’t over eat or skip meals. During the busy working day it is easy to miss a meal, especially breakfast, but it has been proven that people who eat breakfast are healthier and more likely to remain at a healthy weight. 

Hydration is important too. 80% of your body is water, and a healthy body is well hydrated. To stay hydrated you should aim to drink 8 glasses of water a day. Caffeine-containing drinks also contribute to dehydration so try swapping your coffee for a glass of water. 

5. Stay Active

If your job involves sitting for most of the day it can be difficult to stay active. However small steps like taking regular breaks  to get up  and walk around for a few minutes or taking the stairs instead of the lift or parking a bit further away from your work place can all help. You could also try stretching at your desk. Exercising for just 20 minutes 3 times a week can really help you to keep in shape. 

Take time out during the day for yourself guilt free because the better you feel the more productive you will be!