Five golden rules to keep you happy and healthy at work

Many of us spend a majority of our time at work. As we continue to transition back to ‘in office’ working in a post-lockdown world, it’s more important than ever that we have the right mind set and strategies in place to ensure we stay happy and healthy in the workplace.

Returning to ‘traditional’ work environments will inevitably come with specific stresses and demands and that’s what we’re tackling in this article.  Stick to our five golden workplace rules will help keep you happier and healthier in and out of work.

1 – Look after your diet

Instead of reaching for the classic comfort snacks when hunger strikes, opt for some fresh fruit or other healthy snacks to brighten up your day and keep your health on track.

Some companies are increasingly aware that the typical work vending machines full of crisps and chocolate are not conducive to considering employee wellbeing and, instead, are sourcing healthier options. If your company isn’t already doing this, why not talk to your manager about arranging a fruit basket delivery for your office.

It quite easy to arrange for baskets full of fresh, seasonal office fruit to be delivered straight to your desk as an easy, colourful and healthy alternative to typical snacking. These will give your immune system a boost, help you focus more at work and keep you feeling fit and healthy overall. So, doesn’t it make sense for your employers to consider this option?

You can learn more about healthy snack deliveries (including office fruit baskets) and get a free quote for delivery to any UK office by clicking here to ‘Fruitful Office’, one of the leading providers in the UK.

2 – Ensure your work has purpose

If you don’t feel that you are being sufficiently challenged or utilised in the workplace, then do something to change it. If you don’t feel that your work is meaningful or has a purpose, it becomes all too easy to lose focus.

Talk to your boss about your role and what you feel you could be doing to challenge yourself and contribute more to the company. This also puts you in a better position to ask for a raise or get involved in the projects that interest you the most.

However don’t bite off more than you can chew by trying to make a new role for yourself!

3 – Feel at home

Let’s preface this by saying it’s almost impossible for a traditional office to ever be quite as comfortable and pleasant as the best home office environment, but there are still plenty of options to help ease the transition.

We spend so much time at work that we should be doing our best to tailor workspaces to feel at least somewhat personal. A nice starting point is to surround yourself with items that make you feel more comfortable – within your company’s guidelines.

Photos, ornaments or motivational posters can help boost your happiness levels at work, helping you to feel more connected to your workplace. Consider adding some greenery to your desk for an additional (and scientifically proven!) mood boost.

4 – Make an effort to be friendly

This applies even if you’re a lone wolf and pining for the days when you could work all day at home without having to engage in small talk with another living soul…

It’s easy for even the most island-like of us to feel overwhelmed or at a loss if you have no one at work to talk to at all. Try and make yourself available to people by being a little more approachable, which in turn can help both you and your new friend become more engaged at work as you will perceive your job to be more enjoyable and more meaningful to you.

Friendships are important, both in and out of the workplace. But conversely, do ensure you don’t adopt people-pleasing habits that could be bad for your mental health.

5 – Take proper breaks

Motivation is incredibly important, but one way of sustaining it is to take frequent breaks throughout the day. And by break we don’t mean stuffing a donut and coffee into you while you stare at your phone screen instead of your monitor (not that there’s anything wrong with that in moderation).

Instead try and prioritise some really proper breaks; get outside for some fresh air and a brisk stroll, especially if you have green parks or walkways near you, even if it’s just for a few minutes every couple of hours. It will help you feel recharged and allow you to regain some focus.

According to Professor Jules Pretty, even a 5-minute dose of nature brings immediate wellbeing.

If you don’t allow yourself to take these proper breaks you will become burned out quickly without even truly realising it. Your overall health and happiness at work will suffer as a result.

Conclusion

There you have it folks, we hope these five golden rules help you stay happy and healthy in the workplace. By implementing just a few of these, you’ll soon start to see a difference in your life at the office!