Health and Wellness Tips When You Work Full-time or More
Finding a good work-life balance has always been important. Still, more people are understanding the importance of this balance after the COVID-19 pandemic created many shifts in the workplace. Many individuals started working from home, while even more realized that their jobs weren’t the most essential things in their lives.
Because of this, more of the workforce is trying to find ways to balance their careers with the other aspects of their lives. However, this isn’t always an easy thing to do. After all, most people need to work to pay bills, and finding a relaxed, flexible job is not always possible.
Still, even if you’re working full-time or have a more demanding job, you can find ways to focus on your health as a whole human being. This means caring for your physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.
Need some ideas for staying healthy and happy while working a busy job? Check out these health and wellness tips!
Find Joy Throughout The Day
Some jobs are more demanding than others. You may work in food service and spend most of the day working directly with customers. Or, maybe you work an office job where you’re responsible for minute details like purchase order approval.
While all jobs are different, you can find ways to make even those long work days feel easier. Try to add in little things you enjoy throughout the day. Some ideas include:
- Talking to a coworker you really get along with.
- Listening to music on your break or while doing some projects.
- Bringing a snack or drink you love to enjoy at lunch.
- Getting outside for a walk on break time.
Try To Incorporate Physical Activities
While some jobs keep workers on their feet, others are more sedentary. If you’re primarily stationary at work, you can find ways to get a bit more exercise. Doing so will assist with your physical health but also your mental health.
You don’t have to spend your lunch hour at the gym to get more physical activity either. Instead, you can get a standing desk or take the stairs when possible. These might not be huge changes to your routine, but they can add up.
Prioritize Sleep
While most people know that sleep is essential to good health, getting into a sound sleep schedule is easier said than done. However, you’ll be thanking yourself if you improve your sleep hygiene. While there may be times when it’s harder to sleep well, such as if you have young kids at home, do your best.
Some ideas for improving sleep hygiene include:
- Not consuming caffeine in the later half of the day.
- Avoid looking at screens in the hour before you go to bed.
- Try to go to sleep and get up at the same time every day.
- Keep your room slightly cooler at night.
Take Your Vacation Days
While not all workplaces have great vacation and PTO packages, others do not. However, always use these perks and benefits regardless of how much you get. While you may feel you need to never take time off work to prove you’re a good employee, it’s important to prioritize yourself.
Also, if you are worried about your career, remember that you won’t be as productive or sound as your job if you’re burnt out. So, don’t feel guilty about taking your PTO or breaks!
Be Kind To Yourself
Finally, it’s vital to be kind to yourself. While there are tips you can follow to balance all aspects of your life, it’s not always easy or possible to do so. No one is perfect, and the demands of life often make finding that ideal balance nearly impossible. Instead, find what works for you to bring more happiness to your life.