Finding ways to stay active at work can be difficult, especially when you are often seated at a desk or in meetings for extended periods. Staying seated all day is not doing your body and mind any favors. Lack of movement can lead to problems such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and several types of cancer. Luckily, there are many ways to balance your health and work throughout the day. Keep reading to learn more about what you can do to stay active in your day-to-day life at work.
- Stretch or move at your desk.
- Take a few minutes to touch your toes, bend your knees, or do some jumping jacks. Small foldable treadmills are also becoming increasingly popular to place under your desk, which allows you to take calls or meetings while walking simultaneously.
- Utilize breaks and lunchtime wisely to get up from your desk throughout the day.
- Every so often, get up and use the restroom, take a lap around the office, or walk to get lunch.
- Set a timer on your phone.
- Research shows that staying stationary – whether sitting or standing – for lengthy periods can harm your health. So instead, set a timer on your phone for every hour and take a small break, even if it means getting a drink of water.
- Encourage standing or walking meetings.
- Sometimes, movement and a change of scenery are among the best ways to promote innovative ideas. Grab a coworker and walk to a coffee shop to inspire effective collaboration and movement.
- Skip the elevator or park further away from the door.
- By cutting out the convenience of fewer steps, you can move even more in the simplest of ways. Small choices like these increase your steps by a lot.
- Use your time after work.
- This could be walking your dog, going to the gym, or taking a fitness class. If you feel like your day is a little too jampacked, save your steps for after work.
Benefits of Movement in the Workplace
- A clearer mind.
- Increased energy and better mood.
- Increased blood flow.
- Better blood pressure levels and posture.
- Increased mental and physical health benefits.
The Bottomline
The next time you find yourself at your desk for a long time, get up and move. Your body and mind will thank you for it.