If you've spent any amount of time working in a traditional office setting, you know how difficult it can be to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Many things about the office environment and work life can detract from your health: prolonged sitting, bright lights disrupting sleep, and poor eating and exercise habits on account of working long hours, to name a few.

Despite these obstacles, though, there are many small – yet meaningful – steps you can take to maintain a healthier lifestyle even in an office setting.

Pack a lunch

When your day is full, it can be hard to make smart decisions about food. This might result in taking your lunch break at a fast food restaurant.

“Eating right” is a goal many people have that always seems daunting – but it can start with something as simple as packing a lunch.

This doesn't have to mean jumping right into meal prep – a sandwich and an apple will do just fine.

But your own lunch will be much better for you than grabbing a Big Mac or a couple of candy bars.

Stay hydrated

It's amazing what basic needs one can forget about while wading through piles of paperwork in the office.

Drinking more water provides numerous benefits, especially if you're becoming dehydrated during the workday and not realizing it.

Are you getting headaches in the middle of the afternoon? You might be mildly dehydrated. Staying hydrated can also improve wakefulness, helping you turn down that extra cup of coffee.

Remembering to take a trip to the kitchen to fill up a glass of water occasionally, this is such a simple way to be healthier work.

Stock up on healthy snacks

If you're like most people, just eating lunch probably doesn't cut it for you over the course of a usual eight-hour workday.

This can be another opportunity to improve your eating habits at work, as rather than grabbing crisps at the vending machine, you could bring along a pack of granola, dried fruit, or mixed nuts.

Besides making your snacking healthier, this can help you save money, as an added bonus.

Be mindful of ergonomics

Sitting for extended periods can become painful, taking steps to improve your office ergonomics can do wonders for your back, neck, eyes, hands, and many other joints.

Your chair should be one that supports your back, and your computer monitor should be adjusted such that you aren't craning your neck for many hours a day. It also helps to have ergonomic devices such as a keyboard and mouse.

There's a lot that goes into office ergonomics, but every little bit helps maintain your health in the office.

Get on your feet

No matter how you slice it, sitting for many consecutive hours during the day takes a toll on your body.

In general, it's a good idea to take breaks and walk around every hour at least, whether that's standing and stretching, a quick trip to the kitchen (helping you stay hydrated!), or a five-minute walk around the office.

Standing desks can be very helpful for this, but it's important to remember that standing in one place can still take a toll on your joints.

However you manage it, just remember to move – and your body will thank you for it.

Avert your eyes

It's probably the easiest tip to implement, but remembering to stare off into space every so often is actually beneficial to your health at work.

Focusing on a nearby computer screen for extended periods of time can harm your vision, so it's important to divert your eyes to things that are farther away occasionally.

This is even better for you if you can look outside, especially at bits of nature – as simply looking at a tree can reduce your stress levels.

Get control of your sleep

One of the first things people often neglect when their lives become busy is how much sleep they're getting.

And that's unfortunate – sleep is one of the most essential parts of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

It may be the most difficult item on this list, but proper rest is indispensable. Sleep helps with everything from staying focused, to getting more out of workouts, and even losing weight.

Your boss may not let you nap during the day – but you'll certainly feel better at work if you can practice better sleeping habits overall. The recommended amount of sleep an average adult should be getting is at least 7 hours.

Conclusion

Staying healthy at work can be tricky, as it's easy to fall into bad eating, sleeping, and exercise habits.

It's not impossible to get healthier, though, and addressing one thing at a time is a great way to start.

You may not be able to abide by everything on this list – maybe it's sleep that still gives you trouble or finding the time in the morning to put together a decent lunch. But following even a couple of these tips will markedly improve your health in the office.

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