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Integrate movement into your work routine: get up, walk, stretch, and use standing stations to improve well-being.
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Engage colleagues and create active habits: share moving breaks and promote meetings by walking to increase creativity and team spirit.
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Plan daily movement: use comfortable shoes, make movement a priority appointment, and improve personal and business productivity.
Spending most of your day at work is a common situation for most of us. There are days when you really struggle to find the time, and the will, to exercise. Work hours can take up much of your energy, leaving you with few resources to devote to after-work activities. What you can start doing is to integrate at least some physical activity into your work routine. This is the same message conveyed very clearly by the campaign launched by ASICS a few months ago, entitled The Desk Break.
Work and training: a possible combination
Sitting at your desk for eight straight hours won’t make you more productive. With a few small steps, you can turn your workday into an opportunity to be more active, both physically and mentally. Instead of spending breaks sitting, get up and change rooms or floors and stretch a little with some simple stretching exercises. Every movement, even the smallest counts and contributes to your overall well-being. Try every time you call or answer a phone call to get up and take a few steps back and forth or around the room. Try to get up at least once an hour to stretch and activate circulation. If you have standing workstations in your office with raised or adjustable desks, take advantage of them so you don’t spend the whole day sitting. You can also keep a stress ball handy to squeeze to strengthen your hand grip, fingers and forearms. It might also come in handy for relieving the tension caused by stressful calls.
Engage your colleagues
Whether you work in an office or smartworking, try to get your colleagues involved. Choose a time for a break and use it to walk together, even if you’re in different locations. Share photos or messages in a group chat to motivate each other. It’s also a great excuse for team building and strengthening team spirit. Having a “movement buddy” at work can help you both stay reminded to get up and stay active throughout the day.
On-the-go meetings
Meetings can also be opportunities to stay active. Suggest informal walking meetings and use an app to record voice notes. Thinking on your feet stimulates creativity and helps you see things more clearly, leading to faster problem-solving.
Plan movement as an appointment
I know what you might be thinking—these ideas might not seem compatible with your work environment. However, it doesn’t take much to bring about change. For example, try wearing a pair of comfortable shoes that make it easier to move around. Another helpful step is to schedule physical activity into your work calendar, treating it as an important appointment. This approach can help you prioritize movement and integrate it into your routine.
Benefits for you and the company
Incorporating movement into your workday benefits not only you but also your workplace environment. Promoting a culture of movement can boost employee productivity and health while simultaneously reducing healthcare costs for the company.