If you are like most people working in a business district, you barely have time to eat let alone go for regular health checkups, and unless you have a job that keeps you on your feet all the time, you will be like the majority of those workers: sitting behind a desk, staring at a computer from 8am to 5pm. A sedentary lifestyle is extremely harmful to the human body, which evolved to process all food and produce energy for an active lifestyle, and when inactive, to store that energy for future use. When you spend your day lounging in one spot, the body is tricked into believing that you should store energy for the future. Result: fat and starch deposits that do not get burned, leading to high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and more. In order to combat that, follow the tips given below.
Redeem Your Health Claims Every Year
Any reputed company provides health insurance for its workers, which typically covers a range of medical tests necessary to gauge whether or not you are healthy. But most workers never claim this as they don’t have the time to make an appointment at the doctors. Don’t wait till the end of the year; find one or two days in the middle of the year and make an appointment. For instance, if you work in Melbourne, there are plenty of doctors in Melbourne CBD if you can’t find one closer to home.
Have yourself tested for the common old-age illnesses: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol etc. If the doctors in Melbourne CBD can’t find anything wrong, count yourself lucky.
Do Things to Reduce Stress
Stress kills a lot of people – indirectly. It can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease, it can lead to smoking and thus lung diseases and it can lead to suicide. Working in a business district can be extremely stressful so you will need a stress buster if you are to remain working for longer than few years. Some common stress busters are listening to ambient noises, soothing music, watching fish, engaging in physical labour, therapeutic arts and crafts, massages etc. But whatever works for you is acceptable, as long as it doesn’t harm you or those around you. Hobbies can help, especially if they are completely removed from the business world.
Sneak in Some Exercises
When you’re busy doing spreadsheets on a deadline, exercising can be the last thing on your mind. But it is necessary in order to keep the body in shape. Forget about the big activities like jogging, swimming, or going to the gym if you don’t have the time; instead, sneak in small exercises while sitting at your desk like rolling your neck, rotating your shoulders, flexing your fingers etc. a set number of times throughout the day. Looking up at the ceiling and stretching your jaw is a great way to reduce that double chin. It will also prevent sedentary limb ailments like carpal tunnel syndrome.