Health and wellness April 19, 2015 By
At First United, Wellness is one of the four pillars of Spend Life Wisely. We believe that to truly spend life wisely, you must feel good both physically and mentally. Oftentimes our desire to focus on our health is driven by personal motivations, but I've found diet and exercise have a significant effect on my professional life as well.
Remember, you are what you eat. Healthy eating is important no matter your age, gender, weight, or fitness level. What we put into our bodies determines to a great extent how we feel throughout the course of the day. Ensuring you consume the right mix of grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, protein, and fats is vital. It’s also important to avoid too many processed foods.
Find a new morning kick start. Drinking cup after cup or our favorite caffeine-rich beverage may give us the “quick-charge” we need in the mornings, but typically it leaves us with a run-down feeling in the latter part of the day. Try to find natural alternatives to boost your energy, such as increasing your vitamin B intake, eating more protein, drinking more water, and utilizing natural herbs. At a minimum, limit the amount of caffeine you consume each day.
Unwind after a long, stressful day. We all have different ways we unwind after a long work day. Research has shown that one of the best forms of stress relief is aerobic activity. I can personally say that I feel remarkably better after I work out. The hardest part is fighting the urge to go home and park it on the couch. Try bringing your workout gear with you to work and going on your lunch hour or directly after work.
Focusing on your health can increase your professional results. Diet and exercise will translate to self-esteem and confidence in the workplace. Whether it’s meeting with new clients, working long hours, stamina…when you look and feel better, your confidence grows and helps you gain and maintain business.
First United has made it easier for employees to focus on health by offering a Wellness Program that includes free wellness coaching, gym membership reimbursements, challenges around each of our four pillars, lunch and learn educational meetings, health screenings, and more. We know that when you take time to focus on your wellness, you not only feel better, you see better results in other areas of your life and those around you benefit as well.
