10 best tips to stay healthy at work

If you are an employee, you know that staying healthy benefits you in many ways: fewer missed work days, greater productivity, and less stress. Staying healthy is good for your pockets too, in the form of lower health care costs and health insurance premiums.
10 best practices to staying healthy at work:
1. Wash your hands often: Hand-washing is the number one way you can prevent yourself from getting sick. Many don’t take it as seriously as they should. Always wash your hands before you eat, after using the restroom, and after sneezing or coughing.
2. Keep your workspace clean: The average desk harbors hundreds of times more bacteria than a toilet seat – gross, right? Keep sanitizing wipes and spray at your desk and wipe down the surfaces often.
3. Drink more water: Staying well-hydrated is crucial to your productivity, energy levels and overall health. Water helps you stay alert and refreshed, and promotes clear thinking.
4. Keep hand sanitizer at your desk: During the workday you may not always be able to step away from your desk to wash your hands. In those cases, such as after sneezing or coughing, immediately use hand sanitizer. Keep some handy at your desk, so it can be applied immediately.
5. Avoid others who exhibit symptoms of illness: Whenever possible, avoid close interactions with others who may be sick. Wash your hands after spending time at or near the work space of someone who is sick, sneezing, or coughing.
6. Eat well including light, healthy lunches: Plan out your meals for the week, including what you will eat for lunch. Then take time the night before to pack a healthy lunch for the next day. Make sure to include some lean protein, salad, and fresh fruit.
7. Take breaks and get out in the sun: Make sure to get your daily dose of vitamin D by getting outdoors every day. Even on your busiest days, it’s important to take a few minutes to step away and regroup.
8. Eat snacks throughout the day: For optimum health and energy, make sure to keep healthy snacks at your desk that you can munch on when hunger strikes.
9. Limit caffeine intake: Remember before drinking coffee and other caffeinated beverages in moderation. Try to reduce your intake to one cup each morning to avoid a caffeine crash later on.
10. Manage stress properly: To be effective and to work healthy, you must learn to properly manage your stress levels. Make sure to take care of yourself first and foremost, and maintain a healthy balance.