Physical Activity in the Work Day

In keeping with the back-to-school theme we talked about previously, I wanted to touch on the importance of incorporating physical activity into your day. More and more research comes out by the day on how critical it is for kids to be moving, running, and playing throughout their school day to help them not only feel better, but also perform better. Science is continuously telling us it’s crucial for our brains and our bodies and it’s no different for adults. In fact, it’s even more important!

It leads to better focus and faster cognitive processing. By incorporating movement into your workday you are increasing blood flow to your brain and promoting your own mental clarity. The benefits are endless. You are also taking a proactive measure for your overall mood, which also affects productivity, engagement, relationships and the ability to meet your own goals.

Here are some easy additions and changes you can make to your daily routine at work.

1. Get up and walk around. Do a lap around the office to get your legs moving. Go outside and walk around the block. Find a walking buddy, and set a goal to walk for 20 minutes total one week during your lunch break. Maybe the next week it’s 25.
2. Do a few laps up and down the stairwell if you are in a taller building. But be super careful if you’re not wearing flat shoes.
3. Look into alternate desk chair options or even a stand-up station.
4. Swap water for your afternoon coffee.
5. Stretch. There are plenty of low-impact stretches you can do throughout the day from the comfort of your desk.
6. Get involved with your company’s wellness program. If you don’t have one yet, we should talk.

 The best advice I can offer is to put down your smartphone(which is also decreasing your attention span and causing posture and vision problems) and take a 15-minute break for some physical activity to reset and recharge for the rest of your day. Take it one day at a time. Once you start that routine, it will get easier and easier to follow.