In today’s business environment, it is essential that you stay active at your desk job. Sitting too long can be detrimental to your well-being, contributing to high blood sugar and blood pressure, extra body fat, and increased cholesterol levels. Most Americans spend anywhere between eight and ten hours a day at their desk and struggle to exercise in their free time. With the amount of time spent sitting trending upwards, it is even more important to stay active. To most, this would seem near impossible. However, there are a number of small habits you can introduce into your workday in order to stay active. Plus, physical activity brings a whole host of benefits that will radically improve your day-to-day life.
What Can I Do at Work?
In the event that you are hoping to introduce healthier habits into your daily life, there are a number of ways you can do this. For example, simple fixes include performing quick stretching routines as well as dedicating certain portions of your day to standing at your desk. If you don’t own a standing desk, you can even improvise with a stack of books or a high table. Likewise, you should always avoid slouching as it can destroy your core strength and increases the odds of joint-pain. Further, doctors also recommend using activity trackers or smartwatches to keep an eye on your movement. If you aren’t interested in wearable technology, then there are a number of phone apps that will track your steps and other elements of fitness.
Get a Little Exercise Throughout the Day
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- Take the stairs
- Park farther away
- Take an active break, walk around the building
- Workout at lunchtime
- Have stand-up meetings
- Sit on an exercise/stability ball
- Talk and Walk – Move around during phone calls
- Subtle workouts at your desk – Flex or tighten your abs and glutes
- Squeeze that stress ball
- Take the stairs
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Getting Active Away from Work
It is also important to be active away from your desk. Even 30 minutes of light activity like walking the dog, cleaning, gardening, or playing a musical instrument is linked to a 17% lower risk of early death. Individuals who exercised at a moderate level for at least 150 minutes weekly lived approximately 7.2 years longer. While you can introduce small habits at your job, you will reap the most benefits by pursuing health and wellness in your free time. Whether this includes hitting the gym or going for a walk, it is essential to stay active.
This is where the Plan2Play mobile app can help! For many people who express their desire to stay active, it can seem impossible to find friends or individuals to partner with. Plan2Play helps you schedule activities that you love, discover new friends, and encourages real life fitness and interaction. It’s a simple-to-use, free solution that will put you on the path towards wellness.
Why It’s Important for Companies
Companies who invest in their employee’s well-being will also gain a variety of benefits, including workers who are engaged, loyal, and productive.
Plan2Play offers a unique partnering opportunity for businesses. Employees use the app, make connections with other employees, and get fit. While building a positive company culture and instilling that employees are appreciated, the Plan2Play application provides activity data to the business. To further encourage use employers can choose to incentivize activities.
Promote Physical Activity
Overall, both individuals and employers should promote physical activity. Stay active at a desk job can be hard. But by teaming up with Plan2Play, you can take advantage of your golden years and avoid the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle. Who knows, you may even make new, lifelong friends along the way!
