Nutrition and Wellness in the Digital Age
In today’s digital world, where screens surround us, finding a balance between managing screen time and healthy habits is crucial for overall well-being. Of course, the phone/screens are a blessing and a curse – there are some very useful apps that gear us towards health – running apps, or meditation apps – but the tick is being able to let the device work for you, and not let the device capture you and suck you into a black hole in terms of time, but also in terms of how the information can make you see the world
Whether it’s at work or home, managing screen time while incorporating wellness practices can lead to a healthier and more productive lifestyle, and more to the point, happier life.
Prioritise Mindful Screen Usage
Start by being mindful of your screen usage. Set specific time limits for non-work-related activities on your devices. Dedicate breaks to step away from screens. I found it helpful just to delete a whole lot of apps from the phone. Simple as it may sound, getting an old fashioned wrist watch might be helpful – because, it is amazing how many times the phone sucks you in just because you wanted to know the time!
Implement Wellness Programs at Work
Encourage your workplace to adopt wellness programs that promote physical and mental health. These programs could include yoga or meditation sessions, fitness challenges – or start with the foundation of health which is learning about food, nutrition which influences all other aspects of wellbeing.
Integrate Wellness into Daily Routines
Incorporate wellness practices into your daily routines at work. Take short walks during breaks, practice deep breathing exercises, or stretch to release tension caused by prolonged screen use – as mentioned, apps can be helpful to guide us to healthier habits, but some apps that endlessly track healthy habits can lead to obsession – for example Sleep Apps that track if you have had a restful night’s sleep, should in my opinion be avoided – It should be obvious if you have had a restful night or not, and tracking it can lead to anxiety, fixation, and stress.
Design Wellness at Work Ideas
Brainstorm with colleagues to develop creative wellness ideas tailored to your workplace. Consider setting up standing workstations, organizing walking meetings, or providing healthy snacks in the office – Build community around food, is a way to set up a bonding experiene – the team that eats together stays together! If possible, using real, fresh, ingredients – there is a culture in the workplace that builds culture around the biscuit tin, the birthday cake and the pizza, and the booze bottle. Whilst it doesn’t have to be perfect, building community around quality food, that also enhances energy and makes people feel good, might be a way not only to build teams, but also to emphasize health at the same time
Promote a Positive Work-Life Balance
Ensure a healthy work-life balance by setting boundaries between work and personal time. Avoid excessive screen use during personal hours and take time to enjoy hobbies – if we are in the real world, there is less time to depend on screens.
Seek Support from Management
Encourage open conversations about wellness with management. Advocate for policies that support employee health, such as flexible work hours or remote work options – as the boundaries between work and home tend to have merged recently – and work is a part of life, making sure we stay healthy, well and engaged is important. Wellbeing in companies is no longer a nice to have but a have to have. If our people are well, engaged, happy and healthful not only is more actual work done, but also more life is lived – and with happier people, more productive work is achieved – a bonus all round.
Managing Screen Time and Healthy Habits
By prioritising healthy habits and incorporating wellness practices into the workplace, we can create a more positive and productive environment – you don’t have to ram policy down people’s throats, and make them engage in health – putting the facilities and the environment for health and wellness in front of people, means in makes it much easier to make the small changes that in the end pay big dividends not only for the individual but for the company too.
Remember, small changes can make a significant impact on overall health. Let’s embark on this journey together, embracing a healthier and happier lifestyle both online and offline.
