One of the reasons why many people struggle to stay fit these days is because the modern work environment often involves employees sitting at their desks for hours at a time, and this can harm their physical health and well-being. While it may be impossible to go to the gym in the middle of the workday, there are a few ways that you can incorporate more movement into your schedule.
Take Movement Breaks
It can feel hard to stay motivated and productive when you’ve been sitting for so long, so take the time to stand up from your desk and stretch your body out. You can also spend a few minutes moving around every hour to help alleviate any muscle tension or stiffness.
You might find that these little breaks scattered throughout your schedule can help your productivity as the improved blood circulation will help refresh your brain and boost your energy and mood levels.
Make the Most Out of Your Commute
Nobody likes waking up early to go to work, but this can be an opportunity for you to get a bit of movement in. As much as possible, try to walk or bike to work, or even get off the public transport a few stops earlier so that you can walk the rest of the way to the office. Of course, this will only work if your office is relatively near your home.
If you have to drive to your office, you can just park your car away from the entrance so that you can walk the rest of the way there. With that, getting to your office can also present a bit more chances to become more active, an example of this being choosing to take the stairs over the elevator or the escalator.
Take Lunchtime Walks
Instead of eating lunch at your desk, take the time to explore your surroundings on foot. Not only will this help you get some steps in, but it can also help you explore the area around you more thoroughly. You might find a few places that you’re interested in entering or even a few restaurants that you want to try out for your future lunches at the office.
Choose Active Hobbies
A great way to ensure a fitter lifestyle is by engaging in active hobbies that can help you become more active, while also helping your overall quality of life. There are lots out there that you can choose from such as dancing, hiking, walking in the park, swimming or even playing a social sport with your friends. The great thing about these hobbies is that they won’t feel like a workout because you’ll be enjoying them too much.
Get a Fitness Tracker
With all the different tasks and deadlines that you’re juggling everyday, it might be a bit difficult to also keep track of things like your step count, but that’s what a fitness tracker is for. There are many high quality and affordable fitness trackers that you can choose from, and it’ll help you stay on top of your daily fitness goals. Having a fitness tracker can also help you feel much more motivated to find opportunities for movement throughout the day.
Working a sedentary job doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice your physical health and fitness, and there are certainly ways to stay active throughout your workday. By integrating these little lifestyle changes, you’ll be able to minimize the negative effects of prolonged sitting without sacrificing the quality of your work.
