Do you work a sedentary job? If so, you probably feel like you don’t have much control over you’re sitting and standing time.
But in reality, you have more options than you think! It’s possible to have a sedentary job and still keep a healthy lifestyle. Read on to learn how to avoid sedentary lifestyle at work in seven easy steps.
1. Take Breaks
One of the best ways to stay healthy at your desk job is to take short but frequent breaks from your desk. Ideally, you should be getting up at least once an hour to walk around, but if your workplace is more flexible you might even try twice an hour.
Luckily, getting up and moving around is also great for your brain power and focus, so you don’t need to feel like you’re wasting time!
2. Get Your Steps In
This step goes hand-in-hand with taking breaks. When you get up to stretch your legs, it also gives you the perfect opportunity to take a lap or two around the office (or even around the building!)
By getting up and walking around even a little bit every hour, you’ll help increase your steps for the day. If you want to track your progress, it might be good to invest in a pedometer or smartwatch to help you see just how much those walking breaks help.
3. Invest in a Standing Desk
One of the the newest trends in building a healthy workspace is the standing desk. With a standing desk, you can get up and stretch your legs without having to walk away from your work.
Most standing desks can be used in both seated and standing positions, meaning that you can adjust the desk and find the best height for you. Many people choose to spend a half-hour standing followed by a half-hour sitting, but the balance is different for each individual.
4. Sit Mindfully
When you are forced to sit, it’s important that you sit right. Poor posture or bad office furniture can cause long-term back pain and other health problems.
It’s especially important to make sure that you have an ergonomic setup at your desk. By making sure your desk and chair are at the right height, you could mitigate any damage done by sitting for long periods of time.
5. Keep Track of Your Sitting Time
Many desk job employees find it easy to forget to get up and move around when they become focused on an important task. If this sounds like you, you can always set up Reminders on your phone or smartwatch so that you remember to get up every hour!
6. Take the Stairs
Another easy way to avoid being too sedentary at the workplace is to choose to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Often, the stairs will be just as fast and have the added benefit of being good for your health.
7. Use Your Lunch Break
If you were looking for a longer walking break, you can always use a portion of your lunch break to get out of the office and be active. This is especially great when the weather is warm, because you can go outside and enjoy the sun!
How to Avoid Sedentary Lifestyle at Work: The Big Picture
Ultimately, every work environment is different, so your activity levels throughout the day will probably vary based on your occupation. That said, the seven tips listed above are a great place to start when learning how to avoid sedentary lifestyle at work. For more tips and tricks, check out our other blog posts!
