If you have a desk job, you probably already know that you’re not doing what’s best for your health. And not everyone can have that standing desk that everyone tells you about. But while working at a desk may be something you have to do, there are other day-to-day health faux pas that you can steer clear of just by realizing that you're doing them.
- Stop keeping snacks at your desk. You swear that you’ll eat a few small meals every day. Then you start keeping a bag of light popcorn in your drawer. Then you decide to take lunch at your desk. Maybe you’ll just have a smoothie while you’re at it. Soon, you’re snacking and taking most meals at your desk. Scientists have found that people who multitask while they’re eating end up eating more, and eat more often. Take some time out of your day for your meals instead of making it one of three things you’re doing at the same time.
- Keep your hands away from your face. Chances are, your desk is grosser than you think. Researchers from the University of Arizona have found that a desk holds more bacteria than an office bathroom. So whenever you touch your face, you’re migrating that bacteria and putting yourself more at risk for illness. If nothing else, you’ll end up with some bad breakouts.
- Organize your workspace. If there are ten cords, twenty post-it stacks, and hundreds of pens littering your desk, chances are you’re at higher risk for stress, and you’re more likely to make bad decisions for your health. They say that a cluttered desk reflects a cluttered mind, and there’s some truth to that. Taking an hour to organize your space may make your work more efficient in the long run.
- Get up and walk around. Those without access to a standing desk end up sitting for hours at a time, and those with long commutes sit even more. Getting up to walk around for a few minutes every half hour can reduce your risk of heart disease, disability, and stroke. Even if you work out before or after work, sitting for too long puts you at risk for all of those things, so get up every so often, for your own good.
What are some ways you keep your workspace healthy?
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