Yep, you read that right! New studies suggest that sitting for long periods of time without movement is as bad for our bodies as smoking. That might seem extreme, but human beings were meant to move. Our bodies are designed to run, jump, lift, squat, swim, and do all kinds of movements that we just don’t do any more on a regular basis.

And with all this Zooming going on, many of us are sitting for long periods of time and a ton more that we used to. And all that sitting only makes us more tired and lethargic.

Ever noticed how, after a long day at work, all you want to do is go home and crash on the sofa? I sure do! Sitting begets sitting. If you have a job that requires you to sit for long periods of time, try these quick tips to get your body moving again.

When possible, Walk Don’t Type!

Unfortunately, email has made us more sedentary than we need to be. Rather than sending an email to your co-worker, take the time to walk to his or her office and have a chat. This small amount of movement will do your body good and it’s always nicer to connect in person than through your keyboard. Now during this COVID situation- most of us are working from home, and walking to our co-worker just isn’t possible. So consider this- Every hour, get up and walk around- try getting 250 steps before sitting down again and working. Or, before each email you write- get up and walk 100 steps. Either way, you will be keeping your metabolism and muscles running.

Split Up Your Cardio

Studies have shown that doing one 30-minute chunk of cardio exercise is just as effective as doing two 15-minute chunks. Good news! No more plodding along on the treadmill for what feels like forever!
This means if you have a 30-minute lunch break, you can spend 15 minutes going for a walk with another 15 minutes after work. Voila. Your cardio quota is filled for the day.
This is great because you don’t have to go to the gym and get all sweaty during your lunch break. It’s just about moving your body.

Do Some Desk Exercise

Even small things make a huge difference. When you’ve been sitting for an hour, stand up and do 10 squats at your desk. If you’re in customer service and you spend your day on the phone, no one’s going to see you if you stop and do 10 squats in between calls! Jumping jacks, push-ups, squats, and triceps dips are all simple exercises you can do right at your desk. Do 10 of each and you’ll be feeling pretty darn energized! Be sure to set a timer every hour so you remember to keep moving.

It’s really about taking care of your body and making sure that you don’t let things get too stagnant. Remember, the more you move, the more you’ll want to move because success breeds success.

Now that you’re armed with some of the reasons why you need to get up and get moving and take control of your health before it is too late, request a complimentary consultation here. Just looking for more tips, recipes, and other fun health things- Join us in our FB group – The Wellness Cafe