Whether you’re back in the office, on site, in branch, working from home or perhaps looking for your next work opportunity, now is not the time to neglect your wellbeing. The past few months have been extremely difficult for many, with the Office of National Statistics reporting increased levels of anxiety, loneliness and stress as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
And while life has not yet returned to normal, many of us are now looking toward the ‘new normal’ where we adapt our lifestyles as best we can to suit our new environment. As part of this, it’s essential to focus on your health and wellbeing, both mentally and physically. We’ve put together a (not exhaustive) A-Z guide to help you stay on top of your workplace wellness:
A is for activity
Whether it’s dedicated fitness sessions at set times during the week or making a conscious effort to add more incidental exercise to your days, activity and movement are so important to your mental and physical wellbeing. This is especially true if you are largely desk-bound or inactive during your workday. Easy ways to fit more activity into your day include taking the stairs instead of the lifts, suggesting walking meetings instead of in rooms (both of these can help you to practice social distancing!) or even trying a mini desk workout.
E is for ergonomics
If you spend most of your day sitting, it’s important to make your workspace as ergonomic as possible. This includes setting up any monitors at the right height (a comfortable eyeline), ensuring your desk chair has good lumbar support and even using a headset if you’re on the phone for much of the day. These tips will help you to set up your workstation.
N is for nutrition
Give your body the fuel it needs to get through the workday. Nutrient-dense foods have been proven to improve concentration and cognitive function, leading to enhanced productivity and creativity. Eating more healthily doesn’t have to be boring, either. Take inspiration from this list of office-friendly snacks you can enjoy at your desk.
R is for rest
Take time out of your workday to rest and reset. Most workers will be entitled to breaks throughout their workday, so make sure to use them! If you’re working from home it can be easy to power through the workday without stopping, but this can ultimately reduce your productivity and leave you feeling drained. Schedule in regular breaks away from your desk or workspace and take time for yourself, whether that’s simply sitting with a book, walking outside or brewing a cup of tea.
Z is for Zoom – or Skype, Teams or any other video conference platform
Technology can be both friend and foe when you’re trying to maintain positive workplace wellness. This is particularly true of communication technologies that have helped keep many of us connected during lockdown and when we’re working from home. However, Zoom fatigue is a real thing, and you may find yourself exhausted at the end of a long day of video calls. Consider stepping away from the screen for a bit, or turning your camera off for your next call, and see if it makes a difference.
Travis Perkins cares about our colleagues
These are strange and challenging times for everyone, and we understand how important it is for all of our colleagues to stay healthy and well. We’ve implemented a wide range of measures in stores, offices and sites to help keep our colleagues safe, and have been regularly checking in to see how our team members are faring. Find out more about what we offer or read more of our blogs to find out about life at Travis Perkins.
