3 Effective Ways to Exercise at Work
By Genevieve Cunningham
Work takes a lot of our time. Even when we're not physically at the office, we're often thinking about it. It's a huge part of our lives, and we can't really expect that to change anytime soon. In a lot of ways, the time and effort we put into work is a good thing. It gives us focus and purpose. But in other ways, all of that time spent at the office is negative, one of the most frustrating (and potentially harmful) side effects being a decline in health. We just don't have time for it! Luckily, there are little ways to look after our health, even while we're on the clock. If you need to improve your health at work, take a look at these three effective ways to sneak in a little exercise on the job.
Do Desk Exercises
Doing a few exercises at your desk won't burn thousands of calories, but it will help you work the muscles and improve your total daily burn. And the best part is that you can literally do them while you work. If your chair is secure, you can lower yourself and do some tricep dips. You can hold your arms out to the side and do some arm circles. You can stand up and do some pulse squats or calf raises. Do a quick internet search for a few desk exercises, make a plan, and you'll be well on your way to better health.
Use Your Breaks Wisely
When it's break time, you probably just want to relax. You want to chat with coworkers or grab a snack. But if better health is the goal, you might consider using your breaks more wisely. Try doing a lap around the building. Try closing your office door for a 10-minute yoga session. Try going up and down the stairs a few times. Using your breaks throughout the day may gain you an additional half hour or so of movement and exercise.
Consider Transportation
Sometimes the way we get to work is completely out of our control. Sometimes we have to drive or take the bus. But if you live close enough, you might consider walking or biking. Or if you live a little ways, you could walk to the bus station and catch the bus from there. It may not feel like the most ideal transportation scenario, but it's a good way to get in your exercise, and it may give you time to prepare yourself before work and wind down after work on your way home.
Since work is such a huge part of our lives, we have to use that time wisely. We have to make sure that this huge portion of our lives is contributing to our health and lives and not taking away from it. Use these tips to help you stay healthy at work, and you may find your entire life improve as a result.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Glen Carbon, Ill.