It can be hard to head back to work after the weekend. You had two glorious days to do whatever you wanted… and now you’re back on somebody else’s time. It can be stressful and discouraging — and encourage unhealthy habits! Here are some tips to help keep you healthy and sane on Monday morning and beyond.
- Try to add a fifteen minute physical break to your daily schedule. Whether you walk up and down the stairs, do laps of the parking lot, or gather your friends in the break room for some stretching, do something physical! Studies show that daily exercise breaks can help keep fatigue, depression, health care costs and sick days down.
- Take a mental break every few hours. You’ll be less stressed and more productive if you give your brain a five minute break every few hours. Think you’ll get caught up in work and forget to do it? Set an alarm in your email calendar to go off every three hours to remind you.
- Pack healthy snacks like fresh fruit and vegetables to help you avoid that box of donuts, your cube-mate’s candy jar, and the snack machine.
- Make your chair, computer, and desk as comfortable as possible. Sit properly in your chair, with good posture. Keep the things you use regularly in arm’s reach so you aren’t stretching and contorting to get them. Try a phone headset instead of resting your phone between your ear and your shoulder.
- Take care of your wrists! Carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries can be painful and make it hard to get your work done. Try this simple stretch: put your palms together as if you are praying. Press firmly.
- Leave work at work. Not easy if you’re a teacher who has to grade papers… but bringing too much work home (literally and figuratively) can increase your stress and irritability. Giving yourself the night off to relax and enjoy yourself will help you feel happier when you go back to work the next day.