Being at a desk all day is not conducive to staying active and healthy. Sitting for the whole day is associated with increased risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and high blood pressure. Moving more and sitting less has been linked to more productivity, increased energy, better focus, and higher calorie burn. How can you get more movement into every day and improve your health and wellbeing?
Walking is one of the most underrated forms of exercise. You don’t need to have a gym membership, fancy equipment, or any particular exercise clothing to get more steps into your day and it doesn’t take any extra time in your day to incorporate more steps for more movement.
- Take a step break at lunch: If you’re already on a lunch break, take advantage of good weather and do a few laps around the building before or after sitting back down to eat.
- Invest in a standing desk: Studies show that standing more at work can encourage additional movement. Taking breaks to stand can lead to reminders to walk. It can encourage standing or walking meetings, which are proven to be healthier and more productive.
- Hydrate: Staying hydrated has a huge impact on your overall health. Drinking a lot of water throughout the day can improve digestion, fight headaches, keep skin soft, and provide lots of other every day benefits. One of the best workplace benefits, though, is water breaks get you up and moving. Refilling a water bottle a few times a day gets you to visit the cooler more often and regular water consumption will have you walking to the restroom more often, too.
Small changes, like more steps, can add up to big health improvements. Finding new ways to increase your step count every day can keep both your mind and your body in motion. Some health experts recommend a minimum of 10,000 steps a day while others recommend even more, but the most important thing is to move. Making sure you are taking time to move during your 8-hour workday can make a difference.
If your mental health could use a boost by being in a different job or you want to try to find a healthier office, get in touch today. We can help you find the right position at the right business for you.