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Sitting is the new smoking,” doctors say, but what do you do if your job requires you to sit all day? While a sedentary lifestyle can cause a vast range of musculoskeletal issues, we understand that getting up and moving around can be easier said than done. Thankfully, though, it’s not impossible.
Don’t aim for 10,000 right away
Conventional wisdom states that you should be walking 10,000 steps each day, but the reality is quite different. Firstly, you won’t be able to switch from walking a couple of thousand steps to 10,000 in a day. Secondly, more and more scientific evidence is proving that you don’t need to walk 10,000 steps per day to stay healthy. In fact, just a small increase in your daily steps can make a difference. So, start slow. Aim for 500 or 1000 steps more than you usually take in a day and work yourself up from there.
Inconvenience yourself
Sure, getting the parking spot right next to the door is convenient, as is simply shooting your co-worker an email to ask them a question. No matter how nice these conveniences are, however, they’re robbing us of a chance to get up and move around. Being more active requires inconveniencing yourself a little bit. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Park at the far end of the parking lot
- Walk over to your co-worker to ask them a question
- Use the restroom farthest from your desk
- Take the stairs, not the elevator
Set a reminder
It’s easy to get so absorbed in your work that you forget to stand up and stretch every now and then. So, set yourself a reminder once an hour to stand up and walk around the office for a few minutes.
Use your lunch break to your advantage
Don’t waste your lunch break sitting in the breakroom, staring at your phone. Instead, use it as an opportunity to get outside and walk around. Even if you don’t have much time on your hands, just a few minutes of walking can make a world of difference.
Staying active throughout the day is a great way to stay healthy and keep musculoskeletal disorders at bay. Another way of doing so is by installing ergonomic furniture in your office. To learn more, contact Accredited Rehabilitation Consultants today.
