Yesterday, as I returned from my barefoot lunch outside (even though it’s the middle of winter, I bundle up and step outside when a ray of sunshine shows up), I was saddened to see an ambulance drive away with a woman from the office building across the street. Oddly enough, the office building I look at every day has provided a lot of inspiration for my business. I support busy people who want to be healthier and happy. As an outside viewer of the building, I sometimes question whether it’s a completely healthy environment. I see some of the employees doing tai chi in the summer, and it makes me smile, but for the most part, especially in the rainy winter, people stay inside or come outside just to take a cigarette break.
Working in an office can be hard on the body. You might work long days, which require early wake-ups and a commute that leaves you with less time at home. There is the stress of deadlines, and occasional social discomforts. It’s easy to grab anxiety-causing caffeinated drinks, and candy always seems to be available at the desk of a co-worker. Your goal might be meditation in the morning, but if work comes first, the quiet time easily gets skipped.
I love the flexibility of working for myself, because I can mold my workday around my needs, and the times that I am most productive. Self-employment is not for everyone though, so whether you are self-employed or are an employee, here are tips to help you be your brightest, even at the end of a busy workday:
1. Eat breakfast~ Many people push themselves for hours without a decent meal. If your stomach doesn’t want food early in the morning, bring a snack or pack a supply of food at your desk or in a cooler in your car. I just opened up space on my bookshelf, and now keep snacks there.
2. Have just one caffeinated drink per day~ If you take the time to notice, you’ll be able to feel how caffeine reacts in your body. Sometimes people get jittery, others have enhanced focus, and some people can’t focus at all. Water, herbal tea and fresh juices are great liquids in the day, and choose them before your one caffeine kick.
3. Move your body ~ I know a few yoga teachers who teach movement that you can participate in while sitting in an office chair. If you are in the Olympia, WA area and would like their names, please contact me through this website.
4. Be positive ~ Even if you plan to eventually move to another position or on to another career, it’s important to accept where you are now, and to love it. Be the person in the office with a smile, and the person eating the food that provides you with unstoppable energy, healthy digestion, and a body you love. People are going to gasp and ask, “What happened to you!? You seem so different!” When you eat right, people will notice your energetic eyes.
5. Pack a lunch ~ With a little extra effort, the food that you bring from home will far surpass what can be bought from most work delis and restaurants down the street. You might be lucky and have access to an organic deli or juice bar, and that’s great! I still suggest bringing food from home, so that you know you’ll have plenty to eat, and can then supplement your meal with something you buy at work.
© 2012 Ava Waits
