Womens Health Week
But just how much does our diet and eating habits affect our energy and mental health at work?
Research from America’s Brigham Young University tracked data from nearly 20,000 employees and found that a poor diet can have a big impact on ‘presenteeism’ – where workers are present, but not completely productive at work, as well as absenteeism.
The employees with an unhealthy diet were 66% more likely to report having a loss in productivity as opposed to healthy eaters.
The employees who ate five or more servings of fruit and vegetables at least four times a week were 20% more likely to be productive during their working day.
In contrast, those who rarely ate fruits, vegetables and low-fat foods at work were 93% more likely to report a loss in productivity.
Meanwhile, absenteeism was 27% lower in staff who ate a healthy diet and also regularly exercised.
Eating more mindfully at work
In a study from Bristol University, researchers asked one group of men and women to eat lunch mindfully and another group to eat while playing the card game Solitaire on their computer. Thirty minutes later, when offered biscuits, those who had eaten their lunch without the computer game distraction ate far less.
As eating mindfully makes you feel more satisfied, it can also help some people lose weight and maintain their weight loss.
Top Tips to eat mindfully at work:
- Avoid eating ‘al-desko’. Eating at your desk should be avoided whenever possible. By taking a proper break away from your work station, you not only eat more mindfully, but you return to work feeling fresher, which can often help you be more productive. Leaving the building, such as walking to the park to eat, also increases your level of physical activity throughout the work day.
- Sit down to eat and focus completely on your food.
- Switch off your phone and put nearby screens in sleep mode.
- To encourage you to eat more slowly, try putting your fork or spoon down every one or two mouthfuls.
- Take a moment to notice how you are feeling. If you feel stressed or rushed, do a few minutes of slow breathing before you start to eat.
- Imagine you’re a food reviewer and have to write a column on this meal. It will make you focus more fully on the taste, texture, flavour and smell.
- Chew each mouthful thoroughly. This will slow your eating and give your digestive system more time to signal to your brain that you are full, so you don’t overeat.
In celebration of Womens Health Week, we are sharing content from Womens Health Week webpage.
Reposted Womens Health Week
