Top Tips for Staying Healthy at the Office

Creating a healthy work environment is crucial for productivity and employee wellbeing. While we often think of the winter months as peak cold and flu season, the reality is, germs know no seasons. Not to mention health and wellness is about more than just colds and flu.

You can implement strategies that not only prevent germs from wreaking havoc in your facility but also encourage a healthier environment overall in your workplace. With the right products and services at your disposal, you can maintain your health in the office every day of the year.

We’ve put together this handy guide featuring Guernsey’s top tips for workplace health and wellness.

Movement Matters

It’s no secret that office life can be extremely sedentary, which is also incredibly unhealthy and leads to many health problems. One way to combat the sedentary nature of office work is to make sure you are moving regularly. Here are a few ways to keep you on your toes:

• Take brief walks during phone calls
• Use the stairs instead of elevators
• Schedule standing or walking meetings
• Set hourly reminders to stretch
• Consider a desk exercise routine

The Sit-Stand Solution

In keeping with the prior point, prolonged sitting also increases myriad health risks. A sit-stand desk setup allows you to alternate positions throughout the day, improving posture and energy levels. Start with short standing intervals and gradually increase duration.

Implementing proper ergonomics and following the Fellowes 4 Zone Approach are also essential for preventing strain and keeping employees healthy and pain free. Products that promote better posture aren’t just good for our physical bodies; they also promote increased productivity and employee well-being.

Germ Defense Strategies

Offices can be breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. Two excellent and simple ways to protect yourself and others? Good hand hygiene and regular cleaning and disinfecting.

Good Hand Hygiene

This simple, yet incredibly effective practice is one everyone can use to combat the spread of germs. It includes:

• Washing hands regularly with soap and water
• Using hand sanitizer when soap is not available
• Avoiding touching your face
• Putting signs in areas like bathrooms, breakrooms, and lounges that encourage and remind people to wash their hands
• Placing hygiene products in convenient and easy-to-see areas to promote their use and act as reminders to employees to use them.

Clean and Disinfect Regularly

With people coming and going day in and day out, your workspace needs consistent attention to keep germs at bay. Combat pathogens by:

• Emptying trash bins promptly to avoid bacteria and other pathogens from thriving
• Regularly disinfecting doorknobs, handrails, elevator buttons, and shared equipment like phones, keyboards, and desks
• Creating and carrying out a consistent and frequent cleaning regimen in common areas like restrooms, break rooms, cafeterias, and lobbies
• Paying close attention to and following label instructions properly on disinfectant and sanitation products
• Stocking up on low-toxicity, EPA-approved disinfectant sprays and wipes and making them readily accessible for staff so they can easily clean their workspaces and shared spaces regularly
• Checking expiration dates regularly and replacing any expired products

We recommend having plenty of cleaning supplies, disinfectant wipes, paper products, and cleaning tools on hand at all times.

Of course, because even the best and most comprehensive efforts aren’t ever 100% foolproof, we also recommend keeping cold and flu medicines on hand, just in case.

A healthy office environment is an investment in your most valuable asset – your people. By implementing these strategies, you create a workspace that promotes both health and productivity, making maintaining a healthy office environment seamless.

Good Health with Guernsey

Guernsey provides comprehensive solutions to maintain a healthy office environment. Whether it’s through products and supplies meant to beat back germs, or ergonomic furniture that promotes employee well-being through proper posture, we have everything you need to help you ensure your workplace is as healthy as possible.

Through our extensive catalog of high-quality products, Guernsey is committed to helping you ensure your workplace supports employee wellness year-round.