Science-Based Hacks for a Healthier Work Life

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Here are some science-based hacks to stay sane and healthy at work, or at least move you more in those directions. Number one is plants. A large window looking out onto nature is the impossible dream, but multiple studies have shown that bringing plants into the workplace has measurable benefits on the stress markers in the brain and the heart. This study found that green plants with a mild scent work better than multicolored or strongly scented ones, or odorless. But the real best choice is whatever makes you feel the most relaxed. My favorites are snake plants because they can go months without water. kill them. So I periodically buy these cheap four packs on Amazon. They start off a lot larger than this. Number two is exercise snacks. And no I don't mean protein bars. A massive study was just published that combined 97 different meta-analyses of over 1,000 clinical trials. And it found that physical activity is 1.5 times more effective at reducing mild to moderate symptoms of depression, psychological stress, and anxiety than medication or cognitive behavioral therapy. Exercise better than drugs or therapy. Short bursts of high-intensity exercise with a But a lot of you probably don't have the recommended 150 hours per week to spend exercises. Enter the snack. You're a snack. 30 to 60 second bursts of intense exercise like running upstairs or push-ups or squats. When I'm on a plane or at a Broadway show, if you ever spot me looking weirdly constipated, it's probably because I'm doing an isometric exercise, like pulling or pushing as hard as I can against my own arms or chair. But new habits need a good cue to trigger them, so I try to do a little exercise snack every time I exit the bathroom during the day. It may look weird, but it's worth it. Let me know how it goes.

Additional notes

These mental health hacks won’t fix a toxic work environment or bad relationships, but they can help nudge the needle towards the positive end of whatever you’re capable of, and maybe give you that needed boost to try and change your situation! (The 🔗 to the snake plants i use is in the usual place) 📚STUDIES: Effectiveness of physical activity interventions for improving depression, anxiety and distress: an overview of systematic reviews - DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-106195 Effects of Indoor Plants on Human Functions: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analyses DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127454 The effect of indoor plants on human comfort DOI – 10.1177/1420326X13481372 Exercise Snacks and Other Forms of Intermittent Physical Activity for Improving Health in Adults and Older Adults: A Scoping Review of Epidemiological, Experimental and Qualitative Studies DOI: 10.1007/s40279-023-01983-1 @WHO Fides #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealthAtWork #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #WHOFides #science

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