Healthy body, healthy mind!

Kim, one of our HR Assistants, is talking us through how to balance both a healthy body and a healthy mind this week… I think they may come hand in hand!

By Kim Mills

A healthy lifestyle isn’t just about what it can do for your body it can also do so much for the mind. If your mind is in a good place you will be able to perform better at work which could lead to progression, gaining more skills and just a happy working life. A healthy lifestyle will help you to concentrate more, improve your memory, become more confident to tackle issues, relieve stress and anxiety and you are less likely to have time off work for physical and mental illnesses.

Here are some healthy lifestyle tips to try:

Food

Enjoy natural foods. This includes fruit, veg, fibre, protein and healthy fats. The more varied your diet is, the more likely you are to get the nutrients your body needs. Of course it’s nice to have the naughty stuff and a bit of a treat will not harm but in moderation is best. Eating a healthy diet of pure, minimally processed foods can help counter the impact of stress by releasing calming and “feel good” chemicals into the body and we all know that at work it can get very stressful at times!

Exercise

Physical activity 3 times a week for 30 mins can cut your chances of getting depression by about 20% by releasing endorphins. Other studies show that exercise is very effective at reducing fatigue, improving concentration and enhancing overall cognitive function. If it’s a struggle to find the time to exercise a quick walk around the block to get some fresh air and clear your head will do wonders and set you up for a better working afternoon.

Water

Although you may find yourself heading to the toilet quite a lot, water has so many benefits. Studies have shown that even a 1-3% fluid loss can affect many aspects of brain function including mood, concentration and focus. The NHS recommends that we should drink about 1.2 litres (six to eight glasses) of fluid every day to stop us getting dehydrated. Take a bottle of water to work and add reminders in your calendar to get drinking!

Sleep

The recommended amount of sleep a night is 7-9 hours. Everyone is different and some do better with less sleep however it has been suggested that consistency is key. Don’t be tempted to have a lay in on the weekend as this might not get your Monday morning off to a good start. Quality of sleep is also important so find out what works for you to get a great night’s sleep and you will feel the benefits from it the next day and will be less likely to be yawning in that important meeting!

Time for yourself

It’s important that you have time for yourself in order to relax and unwind from your working day. This may include watching a good film, taking a bath or a bit of yoga. Find out what the HR180 Team do to find their zen:

Give these tips a go. By doing the above you will feel more positive, organised, happy, focused and you will be amazed at how much more you will get done in a day. I bet your colleagues will also benefit from the changes too!