Winter can be the hardest time of the year to keep your wellness in check particularly with the unpredictable weather, shorter days, and a noticeable lack of holidays. But there are some simple tricks to staying well while you’re doing the daily grind.

1. PREPARE YOURSELF

Dedicating some time on the weekend to getting prepped for the week ahead can make a world of difference in reducing your workday stress. We’re not talking about hours spent meal prepping when you could be getting more time for life.

Spend some time meal planning, getting your shopping done & Dineamic order in so that you’re not hitting 4pm & wondering what’s for dinner.

Smoothie Mixes in the freezer are the key to an easy brekky, tray meals or a salad packed with roasted veggies make an easy & delicious lunch option, and mains with a bit of carb & veggies are the easiest way to have dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes.

2. BREAKFAST WELL

A balanced brekky is one of the best things you can do to start your workday off the right way. By including a mixture of fat, protein and carbs you’ll keep your energy up all the way through until lunch.

If you’re not a brekky person or don’t like eating too early in the morning, then try a smoothie at home and something like our Bircher Muesli with Berries when you get into the office.

3. STAY HYDRATED

This one’s a no-brainer, staying well hydrated is an important part of maintaining your overall wellbeing. It aids in the general functioning of your body including regulating your body temperature, ensuring your organs are working well, maintaining your focus and achieving healthy skin. We could go on, but you get the picture: hydration = great for you.

Take a bottle of water with you when you’re going to & from the office so you’re never without. If you’re getting sick of plain water, try adding lemon or cucumber for a refreshing twist, alternatively, we love a good iced tea, so pick your favourite herbal tea & get brewing the night before.

Tip: Try Rooibos with sliced lemon for an antioxidant-rich tea alternative.

4. SNACK IT UP

If you’re anything like us, then the arvo crash is inevitable without snacks.

Our advice? Keep some healthy snacks on hand in your desk or the work freezer that you can grab as you need.

Power Balls are a great option for pre-proportioned snacks that you can keep in the freezer, just be sure you put your name all over them to avoid the rest of the office sneaking your Cherry Ripe or Coffee & Walnut Power Balls for themselves.

Nuts and dried fruit are another great snack option to keep in your desk, we recommend portioning them out, so you don’t over-eat them.

5. GET AWAY FROM YOUR DESK

There are two sides to this one: getting up & moving, and getting some fresh air.

Sitting all day isn’t great for your body, and has been linked to a range of medical concerns such as cardiovascular disease, higher blood pressure and excess fat. Getting up & moving is as easy as filling your water up or having a stretch every 30 minutes – kills two birds with one stone as well as you’ll be reminding yourself to drink your water as well.

Getting outside and away from your desk is great to cut your screen time, stretch your legs and get some fresh air. All are great for resetting your body and mean that you're more likely to practice mindfulness when you're eating lunch.

OTHER THINGS TO TRY

We've outlined our top 5 tips, but there are plenty of other things you can try too. Mastered what we've spoken about already? Try these next for more wellness in your work life:

• Set boundaries and leave work at a reasonable hour. Working longer doesn’t always mean you’re getting more work done – self-care is critical, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
• Get active. Try to get in an exercise session at least 3 times per week. Classes are a great way to get in a workout when you have limited time (try a lunchtime class to break up the day). If you can’t get to the gym then grab a friend, family member, the kids or the dog & go for a solid 30-minute walk.

Try some or all of these simple tricks to achieve ultimate wellness while at work and you’ll feel better for it. They apply no matter the season, but getting into the habit of doing them can mean that when things get more stressful at home, work, or both, then you’re likely to keep practising some self-care and managing your wellness better.

What are your tips for finding wellness in the workplace?