Exercise at Your Desk Equipment

Do you ever find yourself wanting to take the time to fit in an exercise at your desk while at work?

Here are a few reasons why using an exercise ball for a desk chair can encourage you to work out and stay in shape while at work. Many people spend most of their professional lives sitting at their desks, as the office chair is one of the most important pieces of furniture.

        Figure 2: IMG_0197. [Photograph] by Joe Morris, 2005, Adapted from http://

r                                          www.flick.com/photos/joemorris/4495531495/

   1) Improves low back pains

   2) Improves posture

   3)  Improves balance

   4) Can stimulate your thinking – especially if         

       you have a kinesthetic or tactile learning style

   5)  Increase core strength

   6) Burns calories

       Questions about if a specific exercise to do at your desk is right for you? Ask your doctor!

      Have you ever used a desk exercise ball as your chair at work, if so, how has it worked for you?

Click here for some more exercise ball tips! Exercise Ball Tips

Health Tips at Work - How I Relieve Stress at Work

Work is often the number one source of stress in a person’s life.  We all know that stress is bad for our physical and psychological health, but most people don’t know how to deal with their stress properly.

A couple years ago I began a new job, and had to deal with a stressful environment that I’d never experienced before. Finding stress tips at work was incredibly helpful for me, and I found myself not only performing better at work, but being in a better mood and having more energy.

One of the most helpful tips for relieving stress at work that I discovered was to go for a walk.  If it’s nice out, walk around the building, or even just walk around the halls of your office.  Anything that will help you clear your mind for a few minutes.

Figure 2. Stressed at Work [Photograph] by Gai Comans, 2012, 

Adapted from http://www.flickr.com/photos/gaiatpaigeone/6954781658/

Other helpful tips for relieving stress at work include getting enough sleep, limiting your caffeine intake, and eating right! It’s amazing how much better you’ll feel simply by replacing that lunchtime burger and fries with something like a chicken salad. 

Looking for more healthy meal ideas? Check out our post on Healthy Meals to Bring to Work

Do you use any of these tips to relieve stress in your work life? What are your best stress relieving techniques?

 

Top 10 Healthy Snacks to Eat at Work to Help You Avoid Junk Food

Do you find yourself eating a lot of junk food at work? The lack of healthy vending machines at work certainly doesn’t help, because when hunger strikes it is hard to find healthy alternative.

I find being prepared with healthy snacks to eat at work is the best option; here are my Top 10 Healthy Work Snacks:

Figure 1. Lunch 23 July 8 [Photograph] by Lee-Anne Collins, 2008, 

Adapted from http://www.flickr.com/photos/dietingelsie/2694121064/

1) Celery – The benefits of celery are tremendous! Not only do you burn more calories than you consumer, but when you’re craving a crunchy snack it is the perfect alternative to a fatty bag of chips

2) Greek Yogurt – Full of calcium and probiotics, yogurt is filling and delicious. You can even try out a new flavour each day so you don’t get bored

3) Carrots – Again you have the crunch factor craved from foods like chips and cookies. Carrots are also good for your skin, your vision and can be eaten with a variety of low fat dips

4) Popcorn – Hold the butter though, if you want to keep this snack healthy!

5) Trail mix – Be careful though, some trail mixes are full of sodium and empty calories

6)Watermelon – This juicy fruit will energize you with its natural sugars

7) Granola – You can find granola in a variety of forms, the most popular being granola bars

8) Hummus – Full of protein! 

9) Apples & Peanut Butter – One of my favourite snacks! You get the benefits of fruits as well as the protein of the peanut butter

10) Edamame – These soybeans are full of protein and can be eaten hot or cold.

What are your favourite healthy work snacks?

Here are more options to bring to work, check out our other article! More Healthy Meal Idea's