How to avoid unhealthy habits at the oi ce
neck for looking at the com-
puter screen. Get out of your
chair, walk around the offi ce
and get the blood moving in
your body.
• Pack your lunch. Bringing
lunch to work puts you in
greater control over the foods
you are eating. You can pack a
healthy and diverse selection
of foods. Don’t forget to also
Getting up and moving around is key
to good health while on the job.
bring some snacks that offer
a healthy mix of protein and
possible to get up and leave your
carbohydrates to keep your energy
offi ce. Instead of sending an in-
levels up. Otherwise, you may
stant message or making a phone
succumb to the temptation of the
call to a coworker, visit him or her
lunchroom snack machine.
in person. Use your lunch hour
• Take frequent breaks. Stale air
to get outside instead of eating at
inside an offi ce environment can
your desk. Plan a brief, mid-after-
make you feel fatigued and less
noon walk outside of your offi ce
productive. Also, spending too
to clear your mind and get some
much time behind your desk may
fresh air.
contribute to feelings of stress and
• Disinfect surfaces often. Of-
tension. Use every opportunity
tentimes, when one person at
the offi ce gets sick, many others
soon follow. Colds and the fl u can
Brightening Lives One Smile at a Time
spread rapidly in close quarters.
Keep your desk drawer stocked
with some alcohol swabs or disin-
fecting spray and routinely clean
your keyboard, mouse, touch-
screen, and desk surfaces. You
also can wipe off door handles
and knobs around the offi ce if you
want to be proactive.
• Rest your eyes. Close your eyes
and look away from the computer
monitor every 20 minutes. Focus-
ing on objects of varying distanc-
es can help keep the eyes strong
and reduce fatigue.
It’s not diffi cult to remain healthy
at work. Breaks, exercise and
watching what you eat can help.
According to the United States
Bureau of Labor Statistics, work-
ing professionals spend an aver-
age of 8.5 hours per day at work.
Many professionals spend much
of their time at work sitting down
in front of a computer, which
can be detrimental to long-term
health.
Staying sedentary for long peri-
ods of time can contribute to a
host of health ailments, including
being overweight and obese. But
professionals who work in offi ces
can take various steps to ensure
all that time at work is not having
an adverse affect on their overall
health.
• Get out of your seat. Modern
workplaces are built around sit-
ting, so workers must fi nd some
time to stand up and stretch.
Sitting too long can compromise
posture and lead to craning of the
Douglas G. Maddess, DMD
See our new website:
douglasgmaddessdmd.com
2
Handling
Valentine’s Day
when you have
diabetes
Celebrating a holiday can be challenging
for those with diabetes, as sweet treats
are a part of many holiday celebrations.
Come Valentine’s Day, chocolates, candy
and rich desserts can often be found on the
menu, which can prove problematic for
those who have to watch their blood-glu-
cose levels.
Diabetics may be tempted to indulge in
too many sugary foods on Valentine’s Day.
Fortunately individuals do not have to put
their health in jeopardy in the name of
Valentine’s Day, as there are many healthy
ways to celebrate with some minor tweaks.
• Focus on fun, not food. Rather than mak-
ing food the focus of the day, shift your
attention to all the fun things you can do
with your valentine. Fill the day with ac-
tivities such as ice skating or sightseeing.
Even though the weather may be cold, it’s
possible to enjoy the great outdoors. Dress
appropriately and enjoy a walk in the
park, or do something out of the ordinary,
like sledding. If you must retreat indoors,
watch a romantic movie.
• Plan ahead when changing your diet. It’s
often possible to work small amounts of a
particular dessert or food into your normal
meal plan by adjusting what you eat for
the rest of the day. If you plan ahead for
a bite of chocolate, you can balance out
sugar levels by eliminating something else.
Keep tabs on your sugar levels throughout
the day, and always weigh the benefi ts and
drawbacks of the foods you eat.
• Include smart substitutions. Many favor-
ite foods are available in low-sugar or sug-
arless varieties that are diabetic-friendly.
Lean toward low-carb offerings and foods
that are relatively low in fat. Baking your
own treats or cooking your own meals will
give you greater control over the ingredi-
ents used in your recipes, and that can pay
big dividends in terms of health.
• Send nonfood items into the classroom.
Diabetes affects people of all ages. When
sending valentines into the class for chil-
dren, do not accompany the cards with
chocolate kisses or other candies. Instead,
choose toys or keepsakes, such as heart-
shaped erasers or scented stickers.
Moderation is key when managing diabe-
tes around Valentine’s Day. Place a greater
emphasis on time spent together, entertain-
ment and socialization rather than poten-
tially unhealthy treats.
2016 Health & Wellness