Six Long Term Health Tips for Techies

Today's tech community is highly competitive, driven, and innovative. Although this is fantastic for society's technological progression, it can be seriously taxing on tech workers' health when they let their passion for what they do surpass their care for their health.
All too often, you'll find that some of the brightest minds in the tech industry struggle to find time to take care of their personal health. This is probably because the lifestyle of working in front of a computer all day doesn't necessarily nurture the healthiest habits.
If you're in the tech sphere and could stand to improve your health habits a bit, the good news is that it's easier than you may think. Here are six simple tips to help you improve your lifestyle for long term health.

1. Maintain your posture
Many people write off posture concerns as concerns that are focused mainly on aesthetics. The truth is, posture is much more important than that. The way you walk, sit, and stand now could greatly affect your body's ability to function properly later.
If you find yourself at a desk for eight or more hours a day, it's important to make sure you're not slouching the entire time. Try sitting on an exercise ball or invest in a standing desk to decrease your tendency to slouch during the day. If you find that you still have trouble slouching after enlisting one of these methods, it could be time to try orthotic inserts to help correct your posture. There are multiple over the counter and custom orthotic options available. Do your research to find a brand that focuses on postural correction.

2. Refrain from straining your eyes
Allowing eye strain now can lead to serious vision problems later in life. This holds especially true for tech workers who stare at a screen for the majority of their days. One of the first and most simple steps you can take is to avoid using your computer in the dark as this causes added strain on your eyes. The next step is to see your optometrist.
Even if you feel like your vision is fine, it doesn't hurt to see a professional to get their input. Sometimes they can offer up options for reading glasses that can take some of the strain off of your eyes as you use your computer.
If you find that a more permanent form of vision correction is necessary, weigh your options of full-time glasses or surgery. While some tech pros don't mind wearing glasses, others opt for lasik as glasses can be a bit of an annoyance. If you're on the fence, check out this guide to making a decision on whether or not lasik is the best option for you.

3. Get moving and stretching
One of the most common mistakes tech workers make is to neglect moving and stretching. When you find a good spot to break in your work, take a walk around your building or maybe even run down to the company gym for a quick 30 minute workout.
To get your stretching in, try implementing a few desk yoga stretches throughout the day.
One of the best things you can do to get both your movement and stretching in for the day is to take up yoga after work or during your lunch break. If yoga isn't your thing, try a few different activities until you find one that sticks. Your body will thank you years from now when you have healthier joints and a leaner shape thanks to the stretching and exercise habits you implemented earlier in life.

4. Drink more water
Whether your vice is orange soda or coffee with heavy creamer, chances are, you could stand to replace a few cups of your favorite beverage with water. For women, the Mayo Clinic recommends an average of 9 cups of water per day. For men, 13 cups of water is recommended.
By switching out your favorite beverage with water, you not only bring yourself closer to consuming the recommended amount of water per day, but you also cut out the fat, sugar, and unnecessary calories you would get from soda or other sweetened drinks.

5. Take care of your wrists
Wrists often go overlooked when it comes to joint health, however, they are one of the first body parts to wear down on a tech professional. Pay attention to how your wrists feel throughout the day. Do you hold them at a strange angle to type all day? Could you fix this strain with a new keyboard or perhaps a padded mousepad? Maybe the standing desk from tip #1 could help?
You should also be sure to stretch your wrists periodically throughout the day. This can be done by simply flexing your wrists against your desk for 10 seconds on each side. There are also numerous wrist exercises you can do to protect your wrists from wear and tear at work.

6. Stock up on healthy snacks
Along with the nasty habit of consuming massive amounts of sugary beverages comes the tendency to binge on salty snacks like chips and pretzels. These snacks not only contribute to weight gain with as they are high in calories, but they also contribute to other health problems like high blood pressure since they are high in sodium.
To avoid binging on the snacks provided by your company's breakroom, bring your own tasty snacks to eat as you work. Try something tasty like carrots and hummus or celery and Light Laughing Cow cheese. If you're craving something sweet, natural almond butter and apples is an excellent healthy option to satisfy your sweet tooth.

The tech world can be stressful at times, that's why techies are notorious for neglecting the long term health risks of their unhealthy habits. The important thing to remember is that no amount of professional pressure is worth compromising your physical health. If you haven't been feeling your best, it might be time to revisit your lifestyle. Hopefully these tips will help!