Sitting is perhaps the new smoking. You know that. But life happens. You have a living to earn and you just not gonna leave your job just because it requires more than 10 hours of sitting per day. However, squeak your habits to add more movements to your days can add more values in the long-term. Moreover, it doesn’t take that much of efforts to add more movements to your day.
It might be convenient to get water once and sit for a whole day. However, by forgetting water bottles on purpose, you can lift yourself up from your seats more often and go get yourself a cup of water. Move more!
At some point, we humans will do anything for food and drink. Our ancestors did. So are we. Everyone knows that we need a drink enough water every day. Why not break that 2-liter-water myth into smaller bits throughout the day. Get that bladder full faster, so you can move more to the toilets. It also counts. Moving around helps boost blood circulation, leaving you with a clearer and more concentrated mind.
You might be 5 minutes slower if you use the stairs instead of the elevator or any walk-machine, but according to the US Health News, only 5 minutes of walking per hour can reduce significantly some risks associated with physical inactivity. You might be surprised at how refresh you can be after your heart is pumped from the stairs walk. Plus, you don’t have to wait for the elevator. That takes time, even though time flies faster when it is easy.
This is perhaps the most popular advice ever. Not if you work 2 or 3 hours away or always feel like you don’t have enough time for anything. It takes patience to walk to work. What you can try is to listen to educational, industry-related podcasts on the go. Listening to something you like can make the commute way more interesting. Plus, it helps our planet become more breathable.
In case you have to use your car, you can move more by finding a parking slot that is further away so that you can walk more to office.
Who says that lunch has to be in office? Sometimes, it is nice to have compact food, such as bread, or quick meals that you can enjoy on the go. You can also take a short walk after lunch around the office building. Walk around and smell the fresh air. If you want to lunch with your colleagues, bring him/her with you.
You don’t have to smoke to take a smoker break. Take a short break every one or two hours. You might follow some time management techniques, like Pomodoro, where you divide your work and break into smaller intervals. If not, just listen to your body. Even music can pause, why not you?
The best way to stay motivated is to hang around motivated people. But what if your colleagues are McDonalds-for-life? Then change your job! Just kidding. If you don’t want to be influenced, be the influencers. Good vibe spreads. Suggest stand-up meetings, or ask your company for individual standing desk installation.
Phones and smartwatches are not bad, it is the way we use it that makes it bad. Take control of your smart devices. It could be a Fitbit, Apple Watch or any movement tracking barometer. It is easier to be motivated when you have tangible report in front of you. Join movements community. Compete with your friends or family to see who move more.
Another solution is to consider taking a standing desk lifestyle. A standing desk would not solve all your problems, and it also takes time to get used to. It requires initiative and commitments, but the results in long-term is yours to feel. Need tips on asking for a standing desk in the office , read our article.
The less you sit now, the more active you can be later in life. Try to squeeze a minute here, a minute there. You don’t have to hit the gym for an active lifestyle. Do something you love, like running, skateboarding, walking, biking, etc, and you shall move more.
Bonus
Enjoyed the read? Why not join our mailing list? We will send you mails on everything related to Smarter Work, Healthy Body and Happy Mind. It’s free, and we do not spam. What are you waiting for?
Originally published at https://www.fitnest.eu on June 11, 2019.
