It’s easy to get stuck at your desk all day. Hours can go by without even standing up and hardly taking your eyes off the computer screen. Here are some tips to get moving throughout your day:
1. Drink lots of water
Drink lots of water and/or herbal tea to stay hydrated throughout the day. The bonus here is that it will get you moving – the more you drink, the more you’ll have to get up and go to the toilet. If you have anything to add to your water (e.g. berries, lemon, lime, cucumber, etc), go for it. It never hurts to add some extra nutrients into your body whilst hydrating.
2. Stand up and move
Every 30 minutes, stand up and walk around your chair twice. You can even set a timer for this so you don’t forget. It only takes a few seconds.
3. Get outside
Even if it’s just for a few minutes, it’s amazingly energising to get outside and breathe in some fresh air. If it’s sunny, then you have the bonus of getting some vitamin D.
4. Jumping jacks
This one may seem silly, but it’s very effective :) If you’re feeling sluggish in the morning or the afternoon, stand-up and do 10-20 jumping jacks. If you’re not sure what jumping jacks are, here’s a quick video to show you how to do them properly.
5. Stretching exercises
Try out any of the following Healthy Habit articles for some easy stretching you can do at your office or home office:
- How to Release Tension in Neck and Shoulders in 5 Minutes
- Healthy Habits: Stretch Your Hands & Wrists
- Healthy Habits: 4 Stretching Exercises You Can Do at Work
I know from experience it’s hard to take a break, especially if you are working with deadlines. Squeezing some movement in your workday will not only keep your body health, but also your mind fresh. When you pause and take a break from something, you can return to it with a clear mind, which in turn can increase productivity and creativity.
Let me know if you have found any of these tips helpful, and/or if you have any of your own you would like to share. I always love to hear from you.
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