It’s a fact! Most Americans sit too much, lending to very sedentary lifestyles. Think you can make up for it on the weekends? Not so fast! Some research suggests that daily prolonged sitting is bad for your health regardless of how much exercise and physical activity you get in a day. To make matters worse, many of us have jobs that require us to sit for most of the day. To help get you inspired to move, here are some tips to encourage increased activity during your workday.
Tips for Adding Movement in Your Day
Stand when possible
Have a meeting to attend? Instead of arriving early and immediately taking a seat, put down your belongings and stay on your feet. You can also be a trendsetter by standing behind your chair during the meeting. In fact, movement has been shown to stimulate more creative problem-solving!
Work from an adjustable desk
Adjustable sit-to-stand work desk stations are popular—and more affordable than ever. Some research indicates that having the option to stand at work may help boost alertness, work satisfaction, energy, and productivity. A recent study found that employees who used standing desks were 46% more productive than those who didn’t use them.
Working from home without the adjustable desk option? Get creative with your desk height by stacking books or board games, or even stand to work from your kitchen island for short periods of time.
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Take your lunch on the move
Resist the temptation to stay at your computer during your lunch break. Instead, pack a lunch that is mobile-friendly and venture out to your mailbox or around the block. Live in an apartment building or work in an office building? If you are able, take those stairs instead of the elevator or escalator the next time there’s somewhere you need to be. Doing small things like this is a great way to keep yourself active without even having to think about it.
Every step counts
Download a pedometer app to your smartphone to keep track of your steps. Set a step goal, then get moving. Seeing your step count provides instant motivation, and helps you get a clearer idea of how much you actually move throughout the day — or how much you need to start moving!
You can sit, but don’t sit out!
Sitting is a necessity for most jobs, but too often can lead to sedentary lifestyles. The good news is that there are simple solutions to avoiding excessive sitting. At MVPT Physical Therapy, our goal is to help people overcome limitations to live a motion-filled life. As your partner in health, we are just a click away from helping you reduce pain and improve function to live a full and active lifestyle!
Call any MVPT Physical Therapy location to schedule or complete the form below to request an appointment.
