Stay Active & Increase Your Productivity At Work

Many of us have jobs that require us to sit at desks for several hours together. In this case, we hardly find time to keep ourselves healthy and fit. When it comes to going to the gym, we conveniently find excuses for not going due to hectic work schedules. Moreover, when you are engrossed in your workload, you don’t remember to even stand up from your place and stretch.

Excessive sitting can cause a lot of health troubles like slowing down your metabolism, developing obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart attack, cancer, and more. According to WHO (World Health Organization), “new data published in The Lancet Global Health on 5 September 2018 show that more than one in four adults globally (28% or 1.4 billion people) are physically inactive. It has also listed inactivity as the fourth biggest risk factor for global mortality.”

The key to increasing your productivity in the workplace is to stay active all day. Yes, you read that right. It doesn’t mean you only have to go the gym for becoming fit and active. Not that it is wrong to do so but putting some simple, yet effective efforts while at work can also help you a lot.

There are plenty of ways to remain active at work and improve your health and fitness, along with increasing the productivity. Let us dive in to know how you can do this more effectively.

Walk Or Ride To Workplace

Instead of taking a cab or train, you can practice walking to your work. It will give you a much greater amount of exercise. Moreover, it is an easy and convenient way of incorporating physical activity into your routine. Of course, not everyone stays this close to their work to take a walk. But, you can make at least a part of your trip by including any of these physical activities. It will make you more energetic and active during your work.

Conduct Standing Or Walking Meetings

Unlike sitting in the conference hall, you can keep walking or standing meetings with your colleagues or employees. Standing is a great form of exercise, as it engages your leg muscles and makes them stronger.

The meetings that stretch for 1 hour can be accomplished in 15 minutes if you plan your meeting in this manner. Getting active during working hours can be highly beneficial.

Seek Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is one of the best ways to improve your fitness and increase the flexibility of the body. Physical therapists offer excellent fitness and wellness programs to help you achieve your fitness goals. Moreover, you can also do some stretching exercises to help relax your muscles and relieve the pain thereof.

According to Advantage Osteopractic Physical Therapy, “Everyone can learn to stretch, regardless of age or flexibility. Stretching should be a part of your daily routine, whether you exercise or not. It does not have to involve a huge amount of time, but stretching can end up giving you huge results!”

Wear Comfortable Shoes And Clothes

Studies show that when you wear comfortable clothing and footwear, you are more likely to be active. Moreover, when you have heels in your feet, climbing stairs is rarely or not at all appealing. Even when you have a dress code for your office, try to make it more comfortable by incorporating flexible and suitable fabric that allows you to stretch.

Track Your Steps

Usually, we get lethargic to walk and try to skip whenever possible even a small physical activity. Incorporating a tracking app in your watch can help you monitor your steps during the day. Also, when you plan to lose weight, it will help you in doing so. Tracking can be an excellent way to motivate yourself and remind yourself of your goals. So, make a habit of walking distances even if they are small.

Walk Instead Of Calling Or Emailing

If you have to email or call your colleague, it is better to walk across to their desks and talk out the matter instead of emailing or calling. Use every opportunity to engage in physical activity. It will add to your energy levels and make you more active during your working hours. Additionally, it gives an extra benefit of socializing with them.

Make The Most Of The Lunch Time

During your lunch break, instead of ordering food at your desk, you can go to pick your lunch parcel. Alternatively, you can also go on a brisk walk after your lunch. Moving is vital to keep your body energetic and active. You can also involve your co-workers in this routine and it can become fun. Incorporating small physical activities into your routine can be greatly helpful in staying active.

Habituate To Taking Stairs

For one or the other reason, we try to avoid taking stairs and take the elevators instead. However, you should make a habit of climbing stairs, which can add to improving your fitness and health. If you find it hard, you can aim at doing it at least once a day. Eventually, you will get habituated to doing so.

Take Breaks To Move

Avoid prolonged sitting, and make sure you stand up from your place and move at regular intervals or every 1 hour. If you don’t remember to do so, then keep an alarm at your desk and make it a point to stand up and move. You don’t have to take a long walk. Just a break of 5-10 minutes is sufficient enough to give your body some movement.

Staying active at work can help you increase your productivity to a great extent. So, indulge your body in some physical activity, even if it is a small one, and make it energetic.