Is Work Making You Gain Weight?

Your daily office routine could be seriously harming your health.

Chances are you are reading this at your desk right now, maybe sipping coffee and plotting chocolate. With stressful office cultures, long hours and desk sitting being blamed for health issues including weight gain, chronic dehydration, and shoulder, neck and back issues, it is time to focus on everyday work wellness for future health and wellbeing.

Beat dehydration

Studies reveal that at least 70% of us are chronically dehydrated, which leads to lethargy, changes in blood pressure, concentration and short term memory, digestion issues, dry skin and premature signs of ageing. Our brains are 85% water and need a constant refill of water and fluids to allow optimum function properly.

Try starting your day with 2 teaspoons of SUPER ELIXIR Greens in water to hydrate and nourish all 11 systems of the body, from your gut and skin to your liver and immune system, at a cellular level. Follow with an alkalising cup of warm lemon water packed with vitamin C for fighting colds, boosting immunity, flushing the digestive system and rehydrating the body. Aim to drink filtered water or herbal tea throughout the day, keeping a one litre jug and a glass on your desk as a reminder to sip.  

Energy boost

Lacking energy and drinking coffee for a boost? Whilst a hit of caffeine can be enjoyable and give your body a jolt, it can also cause insomnia, indigestion, headaches, jitters, prevent collagen production in the skin, and prevent enough water consumption.  By all means enjoy a cup, but replace your second cup of coffee with a NOURISHING PLANT PROTEIN smoothie. Packed with plant-based nutrients including brown rice and pea protein for supporting endurance and energy, it is the ideal snack when you need to power through. 

Sit right

If you are sitting at your desk for long stretches, chances are you are slouching or have poor posture which can lead to back, shoulder and neck pain. Ensure your monitor is at eye level and straight ahead so you’re not looking off to the side while typing. Your phone, mouse, and keyboard should be within easy reach and range of motion.

When sitting, ensure you sit up straight and align ears, shoulders, and hips in one line. Avoid unbalanced postures like crossed legs, leaning to one side, hunching the shoulders forward, or tilting the head.

Our expanding waistlines and soft glutes can be attributed in part to long hours spend sitting at a desk.  A standing desk is a proven solution when it comes to not only burning more calories, but also for a healthy back.

If not, stand up every 20-30 minutes and stretch your back, neck, shoulders, thighs, glutes and hips. Ensure you strengthen your supportive muscles by exercising regularly, keeping your tummy pulled in to your spine and taking short walks as often as possible. Try to grab 10-20 minutes outdoors everyday, especially during the winter months, with an aim to get your steps up to a minimum of 10,000 each day. It will prove a significant step towards preventing workday weight gain. 

Plant life

According to a study by Nursery and Garden Industry Australia, significant reductions in stress were recorded where plants were a part of the office environment. Plants were found to promote wellbeing, and therefore, potentially performance. Staff who had plants placed in their offices showed reductions in stress levels and negative feelings of a magnitude of 30 to 60%, while those with no plants recorded increases in stress and negativity of 20 to 40%, over the 3-month test period. Importantly, just one office plant was enough to make all the difference.

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