Whether you work from home or your office, the question of how to stay active can be a challenging one.
It becomes increasingly important as many jobs require sitting behind a desk for what feels like infinite hours during the work week.
Actually, it has been determined that desk workers sit for more than 1,000 hours per year due their job demands.
In fact, this leads to an increase in stress levels, back and hip pain, digestion issues, and poor posture. It’s time to motivate yourself and your coworkers to increase their active lifestyle, both inside and outside of your work shift!
With these helpful tips, you and your colleagues will want to hop out of that desk chair more often!
1. Take Walks Outside
Being static at your desk all day forces your body to adjust itself to sitting position. Taking the time to step away from your desk to take walks outside can increase blood flow and allow your body to shake out any tension or pressure. As your blood is flowing faster, your energy levels rise. This ultimately helps with alertness and concentration so you’re performing to the best of your ability while working.
2. Participate in Fitness Events
Another fantastic way to motivate yourself and other employees in your workplace is by participating in different fitness events. 5k walks and runs, and fitness classes for instance. If there aren’t any fitness related events in your town, organize one! Be sure to register your event online to skillfully keep track of your RSVP’s.
3. If Possible, Work at a Standing Desk
Remaining in a sitting position for numerous hours can be exhausting. Your body might feel fine within the first hour or two of your day, but not for long. By the time the forth and fifth hours hit, pain and pressure develops. Areas such as your neck, back and shoulders become achy and stiff. To reduce the built up soreness, try working with a standing desk for a while to switch your body’s position.
4. Take the Time to Stretch
Stretching your muscles can relieve a lot of stress placed on the body from sitting for long periods of time. Lengthening your muscles can reduce the tightness that you might be feeling throughout the day. Side bend, rotate and extend your spine, stretch arms overhead and stretch those legs and calfs. You’ll feel so much better!
Next Steps
The improvement of your mental, physical and metabolic health comes with changing your daily routine. By going from consistently inactive to a day full of movement, your body will thank you.
As you start to feel better, do your part by spreading awareness about the harmful effects of working a desk job. tell your colleagues about how exercise can benefit the way your body feels and the way your brain functions.
Make sure to motivate other desk workers to pursue an active lifestyle to help boost the amount active workplaces!
If you or any of your colleagues is experiencing pain related to desk job or sedentary lifestyles, let us know!
Did you know you have Direct Access* to Physical Therapy? No referral, no problem!
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