1. Write
Learning how to express one’s feelings and correctly communicate through writing is a great skill to have. Expressing an idea calls for an exactness of thought that’s mentally stimulating as well as challenging. You don’t have to be the next Ernest Hemingway, but successfully putting your thoughts on paper can be a rewarding experience.

2. Read
Reading may not be the most favorite pastime for people and it requires time, but it does help you absorb information quickly. To help spur your love of reading, choose to read things that relate to a certain hobby or your work.

If you’re an engineer, it wouldn’t hurt to read a few news articles on the latest trends and research in the field (that you could later impress your boss with). Take a trip to your local library and spend some time there, you may be surprised at what you find.

3. Manage Stress
Of course it’s easier said than done, but learning how to manage stress can greatly affect mental health. Stress can be distracting, depressing, and overwhelming, which ultimately affects a person’s mental stability. Practice deep breathing exercises or meditation, and make sure to get enough sleep to start managing a stressful lifestyle.

Speaking of sleep, getting enough sleep is essential to staying mentally active. Sleep helps consolidate memories and “reboot” brain function for the next day.

4. Learn a New Skill
What better way to stay mentally active than learning something new? With new technology coming out almost daily, learning how to use a new app or computer program is a great way to maintain mental health. And when you’ve mastered a new design software or program, you may be able to add it to your resume. If you don’t want to devote that much time, consider trying a new recipe for dinner or taking a new route home without the GPS.

5. Share Your Interests
Being around others who share the same interests is an easy way to stay mentally active. Join a club or build relationships with people around you to create a sense of belonging and community. Shared interests can lead to great conversations, enjoyable memories, and a sense of well-being.

And of course while you’re at work, don’t forget to stand, stretch and move around throughout the day. Have a conversation with a coworker that doesn’t involve work, or take a break to read a news article. These daily practices along with physical activity, will keep you engaged for lifelong mental health.

The post How to Stay Mentally Active appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

What do you do to remain active at work?

Ah, Spring Time. The weather is getting warmer, the birds are chirping at all hours of the day, the streets smell like flowers, and every time you walk outside there is a bit of a bounce in your step. Because, well, why shouldn’t there be? Life is grand! The world is beautiful!

Unfortunately, your boss didn’t get the memo, and you still have to come into work every day while the sun is shining outside.

If this situation sounds familiar, I have two suggestions for you:

1) Get outside when you can during work and enjoy the perfect weather. For anyone else based in the south, you know that you better get outside and enjoy it before it is too hot!

2) Use an adjustable height desk or even a treadmill desk during the work hours that you are required to be inside.

After all, just because you’re inside doesn’t mean you should be stuck sitting at your computer!

But I like sitting, you think as you sit in your chair reading these words. What’s the problem?

Well, I’ll tell you the problem(s):

• More than one-third of Americans are obese.
• The rate of Type 2 Diabetes has increased 176 percent since 1980.
• Only 3-5 percent of people meet the minimum recommendations of physical activity (150 minutes of moderate activity per week), and 33 percent are completely sedentary.
• Heart disease, regularly brought on by poor diet, lack of activity, and excess weight, is the leading cause of death in the US
• Obesity and inactivity are responsible for 300,000 premature deaths and over $90 billion in direct health care costs each year.

Now if that didn’t get you standing up at your desk, I don’t know what will.

And of course, when you can, get outside and take a walk—listen to the birds, feel the sun on your face, breathe the fresh air. Ah!

But until your boss starts allowing walking meetings 100 percent of the time and Monday-Friday work from the park days, I suggest you look into an adjustable or walking desk. And maybe ask for an office with a window you can open.

What are your solutions to staying active while at work? Do you use a walking desk or adjustable height desk?

Sources: NIH.gov, CDC.gov

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