Working a Desk Job? Here are 5 Ways to Stay Active

We’re all well aware that physical activity is crucial for your long-term health. But that doesn’t mean we all make time for it. Between work, home life and your social life, physical activity can easily get put on the back-burner or forgotten altogether. This problem is made much worse for those with sedentary jobs. If you sit at a desk all day, your body is just itching for activity, so here are some simple things you can do to add a bit of activity to your workday.

1. Take the stairs

Skipping the elevator is a simple way to consistently add more physical activity to your day. It may not seem like much, but walking a few flights of stairs each day will get your blood flowing, increase your heart rate, and leave you feeling more energized.

2. Have a goal

Setting daily activity goals is a great way to make sure you achieve your long-term health goals. For example, try using a step tracker and set a goal for how many steps you want to take every day. Some step trackers are far more expensive than others, but the good news is, most phones these days have a step counter built in. All you have to do is slide your phone in your pocket and start moving.

3. Drink lots of water

Sitting at your desk for 4 hours straight is much harder to do if you’ve just consumed a couple liters of water. Not only is drinking water incredibly good for you, but it will also force you to take regular trips to the bathroom, making sure you don’t stay seated for too long a period. 

4. Stand

Try a standing desk. This may be more reasonable for some, while other office spaces may not be able to accommodate this. Getting a standing desk does not mean purchasing an entirely new work desk, but just adding a platform piece on top of your desk, allowing you to stand as you work.

5. Take advantage of lunch

Whether you have 30 minutes for your lunch break or a full hour, take advantage of it. Avoid eating lunch at your desk and try asking a co-worker to go for a walk or take some short exercise classes during your lunch hour.

Physical activity can be a difficult thing to make time for, but putting in a little time can reap big rewards. Try integrating these simple tricks into your day to make your desk job a little less sedentary and add some action to your workweek.