With less than 10 days to go to the self assessment deadline, the stress levels of practitioners across the UK will no doubt be rising.
With the volume and pressure of work mounting even the most organised tax agent can become more concerned with the health of their clients' tax affairs than their own well-being.
So it’s no surprise that at this time of year, fitness and health can go out the window in favour of longer hours at the office and junk or comfort food.
But it’s important to look after your health when under pressure, as recent comments indicate that illness is particularly common among practitioners around tax season.
Therefore, AccountingWEB has a solution to ensure time-strapped accountants don't compromise their own health. Using mobile and web apps, we’ve compiled a series of daily health tips that won’t take a lot of time, but still ensure you get what you need health-wise.
So far, we’ve had:
- 14 Jan - Overall training - MyFitnessPal - an app that records all food and exercise you do during the day to keep you within your goals
- 15 Jan - Healthy eating - Change4Life: Smart recipes - an app that provides you with quick, affordable and healthy recipes to keep you from snacking on 'bad' foods
- 16 Jan - Quick-fix workout - 7MinuteWorkout - a seven-minute high intensity cardio and strength workout that can be done anywhere with no equipment
- 17 Jan - Yoga - A de-stressing, calming PocketYoga app review with "desktop yoga" tips
- 20 Jan - Swimming - A review of the Speedo swimming app for any swimming enthusiasts
- 21 Jan - Getting enough sleep - Sound Slumber, "Possibly one of the best apps I've downloaded so far"
- 22 Jan - Desk stretches - Office Stretches, a free app that talks you through some simple exercises, with paid upgrades available if you want.
- 23 Jan - Peace of mind - Happy Healthy, a self-diagnosis well-being assessor and planner
- 24 Jan - Calming - More yoga-like ideas and exercises from Calm.com, Coach Carol and FM Alexander
- 27 Jan - Walking - Keep track of your steps with this pedometer-like smartphone app
- 28 Jan - Cycling - Cycling enthusiast and deputy editor Robert Lovell reviews popular app Strava
- 29 Jan - Ladies' fitness - Nike Fitness Club is an app designed to provide customisable training progammes to ladies - but men can use it too!
All apps are available on both smartphone and tablet, although many also have web apps for those who own neither device.
You don't have to apply them all, either - simply pick and chose depending on what you're most interested in (eg have a go at overall training + yoga to establish a basic fitness level with bit of relaxation/flexibility practice).
We'll continue to publish our reviews and health tips each working day of this month until the self assessment deadline in our healthy living, fitness and wellbeing discussion group.
Coming soon are:
- 30 Jan- Abs!
- 31 Jan -Stop smoking
If you've been following this programme, have used any of the apps already reviewed or have a suggestion for one to review for any of the other categories, comment below to let us know.