It’s become increasingly common in workplaces to spend more time sitting in front of a computer, including eating lunches at our desks. Let’s give to our bodies a much needed break from being sedentary!
Here are a few ideas to help you “sneak-in” a little more movement into your day:
1.- Walk on your break.
If you’re going to get a coffee or grab lunch, make a walk out of it. If you’d rather not spend money on takeout coffee, bring a travel mug to work so you can take your office coffee out for an afternoon stroll.
2.- Choose face-to-face.
An easy way to sneak-in a few extra steps is to go visit your coworkers for a chat instead of emailing them. Not only does this get you moving, it makes you more social.
3.- Book a meeting room to stretch.
You might feel silly at first, but if you can block off a meeting room for 15 minutes to stretch or get in some light yoga, you’ll feel relaxed, refreshed, and like you’re standing a foot taller by the time you get back to your desk.
4.- Start a lunchtime stair-climbing club with friends at work.
Don’t underestimate the power of group motivation. Challenge your friends to climb with you. If this doesn’t sound appealing, find another group activity or challenge you can start with your coworkers.
5.- Keep inexpensive exercise equipment at work.
This could be small and simple items, like exercise bands, light weights, hand grips, or a skipping rope.
6.- Stand while talking on the telephone.
Not only will you get a bit more movement in, the standing and sitting motion can replicate squats.
7.- Keep extra workout clothes and shoes.
These can be left in your desk drawer, your work bag, or your car so they’re accessible and ready to use when you can find spare minutes before, after, or during the workday to get in any of the above activities. After a few days of fitting in small exercises, you might even feel motivated to hit the gym.