Sit Less and Move More with These Tips
By Sara Butler
You've probably heard that sitting is considered the new smoking. That is, being sedentary for hours each day is just as bad for your overall health as smoking cigarettes. Sure, it sounds dramatic, but the truth is that all the sitting you may be doing isn't doing any favors for your health. If you spend several hours per day sitting, then you need to incorporate some more movement into your day. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Be Inconvenienced
Life is full of conveniences, but if you want to move more, then it's time to make life a little less convenient. You can do this by doing small things such as putting your phone charger across the room so you have to get up to plug it in or moving your coffee maker to the break room instead of keeping it in your office, forcing you to walk down the hall. The point is, think about the shortcuts you take to move less and throw them out the window. You'll move more that way.
Get an Exercise Desk
If you work from home or work in an environment that would allow it, go beyond a standing desk and get an exercise desk that you can use at different points in the day. You can find desks with attached stationary bikes or treadmills that have a tray for your laptop. That will add more movement to your day!
Get a Workout Buddy
Everyone knows that having someone to work out with makes you feel more accountable, but you may want to go a step further and get a companion of the four-legged variety to help motivate you to move more. After all, pets are much harder to say no to than humans and studies show that owning a dog increase steps taken each day by almost 3,000 steps. If getting a dog is too much, then consider volunteering at your local shelter to walk dogs or see if you can help out a neighbor.
Find Your Triggers
Pick out a few things that happen regularly throughout your day to serve as movement triggers. For example, whenever you get an email, use it as a cue to stand up and do a few stretches. Or walk in place while you read it. It's a great way to move more and get some of those feel-good chemicals pumping through your brain.
There's no doubt about it, moving is good for you. So do what you can to move your body regularly throughout the day.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Los Angeles, Calif.