What is Wellness and how is it translated to the office environment?

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you have probably heard about Wellness. It's a concept that is being brought into many spheres of our live, and people are using this as a focus of life-style changes. Read on to find out about Wellness, and how this can be translated into everyday working life...

So what is Wellness?

It's making the conscious effort to practise healthy habits daily, to improve your physical and mental health, to help you get more out of your life. YOLO! Luckily you can make a big impact by making even small changes, and taking it slow.

Social connections

Connecting with other people is crucial for wellness, as socialising makes us feel connected to others, and to the world. Spending 10 minutes a day catching up with a friend or loved one is a goal that is easy to fit into your busy day.

How can I do this at work? Take some time away from your desk to chat to someone, maybe it's at the kettle, or at the lunch table, and focus on talking to them and what they are saying rather than worrying about that to-do list. You'll find yourself refreshed and ready to take on a new task.

Exercise

If you can't (or don't want to!) fit in an intense gym session or run every day, even by doing 20 or 30 minutes of gentle exercise can help.

How can I do this at work? Take a brisk walk on your lunch break, or use the stairs rather than the lift.

Nutrition

Adopting a more healthy diet, including fruits and vegetables, and less processed foods, will work wonders not just for your body, but for your mental well being too! Feel proud of yourself for fueling your body in the right way.

How can I do this at work? Take advantage of your office fruit box, and why not try packing veggies as snacks too? Sliced peppers and cherry tomatoes are a great snack without the sugar.

Sleep

Getting a good night's sleep is crucial to keep your mind and body healthy. Have a look at your sleep routine, and see if you need to make any changes. Limit your caffeine after 12pm, incorporate relaxing activities before bed (there are many yoga routines on YouTube to help you get into a relaxed state of mind), and try getting up at the same time every day,

How can I do this at work? It's very tempting to grab coffee after coffee when at work (what else is going to get you through that meeting?), but if you need the drink try decaff coffee - it will give you the same flavour and feeling, but without the stimulant that might keep you awake later.

Mindfulness

Practising mindfulness helps your focus and mood, and can help to reduce stress and anxiety, which is good for both the body and mind. By focusing on what you are currently feeling or thinking, you can get to the root of how you react to certain situations, and help you work through adjusting your behaviours. Try an app like Calm or Headspace for mindfulness meditation, or jump on the adult colouring book trend and get creative while tapping into your consciousness.

How can I do this at work? Sometimes we can find ourselves in very stressful situations at work, and it can be hard to find a way through them. The Calm app has a specific section for Emergency calm, so if you need it, why not grab some headphones, sit in a quiet place where you won't be disturbed (we have been known to go to the toilet for solitude!) and listen to the track. If it's not an emergency situation, why not focus your mind while at your task, and try to ignore any outside noise. You will find the tasks get done a lot quicker.

Do you practise Wellness? Let us know @fruitfortheoffice!