This isn’t the first time I’ve spoken ill of our sedentary work habits, and it probably won’t be my last. Anyone who has felt the hip tightening, back pinching, and butt-numbing effects of being seated behind a computer all day can probably speak to the perils of being a desk jockey. Unfortunately, whining about it will get us nowhere. Believe me, I’ve tried.
But you know what will get us somewhere?
Moving throughout the work day. Here’s how:
1. Walk and talk. Make your phone calls mobile and walk around your office, building, or parking lot as you discuss deadlines. Not only will this (obvy) encourage movement, but it will also ensure that you’re focused on the conversation at hand. Tell me the last time you sat at your desk on a phone call and weren’t simultaneously checking your email as well?
2. Squoffice.
3. Desk-friendly stretches. Check these out.
4. Park far from your building. This may sound menial, but giving yourself a longer parking lot walk guarantees at least two brief periods of movement a day.
5. Walk to lunch. We can’t always pack a nutritious lunch for work, so go for the next best thing and walk yourself to a healthy alternative.
6. Skip the phone calls and emails. Pay your down-the-hall coworker a face-to-face visit instead of “pinging” him or her.
7. Forget about the bathroom on your floor. I heard the one two floors up is wayyyy nicer.
8. Get your coworkers involved. Start a game with your cubemates– every hour, one person decides which exercise you’ll all do. 20 jumping jacks, 15 squats, a 30 second plank, etc.
Do you have any other strategies for staying mobile Monday through Friday, 9 to 5? I’d love to read them in the comments!
