5 Ways to Stay Active at Work

Want to increase your physical activity at work? Have a desk job where you sit all day? As workplaces increasingly shift towards offices, workers spend most of their days sitting at a desk.

Sitting for 8 hours per day increases fatigue and stillness, and prevents proper blood flow. However, making small changes in your work habits breaks up your sitting time, gets you moving and can help your body recover.

Easy ways to increase workplace activity:

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator: If you work on upper floors of a building, take the stairs instead of the elevator when arriving and leaving. This allows for additional activity throughout the day and even saves you time by not waiting for the elevator.
• Change your chair: Bring an exercise ball or a standing desk into your office to avoid sitting in a cushioned office chair all day. These alternative chair options encourage movement throughout the day, providing support for your back and other muscles and joints.
• Interrupt your sitting time: Take breaks from sitting. Get up occasionally to talk to a coworker, take a bathroom break, or get a glass of water. While at your desk, stretch and change posture. These activities help relieve your body from the stiffness of sitting in a chair all day.
• Get moving at lunch time: Use your lunch break to incorporate physical activity into your day. Go for a walk during your lunch to get your blood flowing during the middle of the workday.
• Meet standing up or walking: Instead of sitting down for meetings, encourage your coworkers to walk with you or stand while discussing matters.

Simple changes to your workplace habits do wonders for your physical well-being. More physical activity means less health issues and chronic pain.

For more information on ways to stay active at work from the experts at Owens Physical Therapy, please contact us here or call us directly at 616.956.0400.