How often do you get up, walk around, stretch, and otherwise make sure you’re not damaging your body while at work all day? “Sitting is the new smoking”, as they say but the lack of “No Sitting” signs around the workplace should tell you that the solution is truly up to the individual person, and their willingness to take micro-breaks.
Remember, if you spend all day at a desk, in a vehicle or on the phone, that would be considered a sedentary work life. Since many of us go home and collapse into a couch after a long day, the problem only compounds over time (and we haven’t even mentioned food yet!).
Here is a quick rundown on a sedentary lifestyle by LifeSpan:
Here are 4 simple ways you can take care of yourself in the workplace:
1. Get up once per hour – the simple matter of standing, walking around and stretching for a few minutes every hour sounds like a hassle but it’s something your body treats as a “fresh start” when you sit back down. You’ve taken your brain’s attention away from your project, you’ve given your blood a little workout, given your muscles a wake-up call and taken in some fresh, long breaths. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Try it!
2. Pack healthy snacks – all day long, your nervous energy may come out in the form of knee-bouncing (aka “restless leg syndrome”), eating “comfort food” or drinking coffee (so much coffee). It takes some forward thinking to bring yourself a ziploc bag full of small, healthy treats to snack on all day long. Health people (whatever they’re called) recommend nuts, popcorn, water and vegetables. Also, drink all the coffee and tea you want, provided you don’t add that cream and sugar. You’ll get used to it.
3. Exercise for 30 minutes every day – before work, after work, whenever you can fit it into your day. It’s important to take the time to make yourself sweat to remind your body that it’s still being used, still loved, and still functions!
4. Drink Water – yes, you’ll have to log more bathroom breaks, especially for the first while after you make the switch. After you see the benefits, however, you’ll swear it’s all worth it and you’ll be smashing soda cans out of your co-workers hands in no time!
Nobody can help you but you! Be sure to engage with your co-workers on your health goals, it’s always easier with a friend! Boosting productivity and mood are key ingredients to a happy work life.
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