Deskercise: Sneaky Ways to Stay Active at the Office
Apr 13, 2024
3 min read
Welcome to The Training Loft, your go-to resource for fitness tips and tricks to help you stay active and healthy, even during your busiest days at the office. In this blog post, we'll explore the concept of "deskercise" – simple and effective exercises you can do right at your desk to combat the negative effects of prolonged sitting and boost your energy and productivity. Backed by evidence-based data and practical tips, we'll empower you to incorporate movement into your workday seamlessly, so you can feel your best and perform at your peak. Let's dive in and discover the power of deskercise together.
The Risks of Prolonged Sitting:
Research has shown that prolonged sitting can have detrimental effects on your health and well-being, including increased risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and musculoskeletal disorders. Additionally, sitting for long periods can lead to poor posture, muscle stiffness, and decreased circulation, which can contribute to fatigue, discomfort, and decreased productivity. Fortunately, incorporating movement breaks and desk exercises into your workday can help counteract these negative effects and promote better physical and mental health.
Sneaky Ways to Stay Active at the Office:
Take Regular Movement Breaks: Set a timer to remind yourself to take short breaks every hour to stand up, stretch, and move around. Use these breaks to walk to the water cooler, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or simply do a few quick stretches at your desk to release tension and improve circulation.
Incorporate Desk Exercises: Sneak in quick and discreet exercises right at your desk to keep your body moving throughout the day. Try exercises like desk push-ups, chair squats, leg lifts, and seated leg extensions to target different muscle groups and boost energy levels. These exercises can help strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and increase blood flow, all without leaving your workspace.
Use Active Seating Options: Consider swapping out your traditional office chair for an active seating option like a stability ball, wobble cushion, or standing desk converter. These ergonomic solutions encourage better posture, engage core muscles, and promote subtle movements throughout the day, helping to alleviate stiffness and discomfort associated with prolonged sitting.
Practice Mindful Movement: Incorporate mindfulness practices into your workday by focusing on your breath and body awareness during brief movement breaks. Take a few moments to tune into how your body feels and make small adjustments to improve posture and alignment. Mindful movement can help reduce stress, increase focus and concentration, and promote a sense of calm and well-being amidst a busy work environment.
Organize Walking Meetings: Instead of conducting meetings in a conference room, suggest taking walking meetings outdoors or around the office building. Walking meetings not only provide an opportunity to incorporate physical activity into your day but also promote creativity, collaboration, and engagement among participants.
Deskercise is a simple yet powerful way to stay active and healthy, even in the midst of a busy workday. By incorporating movement breaks, desk exercises, active seating options, mindful movement practices, and walking meetings into your routine, you can combat the negative effects of prolonged sitting and promote better physical and mental well-being. Join us at The Training Loft as we empower you to integrate movement into your workday seamlessly, so you can feel your best and perform at your peak, both in and out of the office.