Healthy Work Habits: Start with Easy Desk Exercises
If you’ve ever wondered why your back is sore, your legs feel weak or your mind is stressed after a long day of work, it might have less to do with your workload and more to do with the damaging effects of a sedentary office life. Too much sitting takes its toll on the body and the mind, but with a busy schedule, it might be hard to make time for a 30-minute walk at lunch or a trip to the gym. But what if it was possible to limit the harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle right at your desk? Turn your work life around with these easy desk exercises.
Stretching & Short Meditation
Stretching is one of the best things we can do for our muscles and our posture. It’s also widely neglected as a legitimate form of exercise or daily health. Some people feel that if they’re not getting their heart rate up or working up a sweat they’re not doing anything for their bodies. This is far from the truth, particularly if you’re trying to combat a sedentary work life. The best thing about static stretching exercises is that you don’t have to have a lot of space. These exercises are also very quiet. Another quiet activity that is often accompanied by stretching is meditation. Like stretching, meditation won’t take up an entire break and has many benefits.
Squats, Lunges & Calf Raises
Squats and lunges are two of the most important leg exercises you can do–and they’re both very easy to do at your desk. Squats require less space, and when done properly, work more muscles in your legs and your core. They’re also considered one of the best bodyweight exercises because they engage so many different muscle groups, building lean muscle and toning over time. Lunges also work many of the same areas, while other leg exercises like calf raises can help mix up your routine and allow you to add weight when needed.
Office Props for Exercising
Adding more resistance to your desk exercises can be easily accomplished with small weights, kettle bells or even that ream of paper sitting by the printer. Adding a little weight to each exercise can make it feel like you’re doing more of a workout. If you don’t have access to weights, a ream of paper or even that briefcase you use to carry all your gear are quick resistance fixes with limited resources or on short notice. But there isn’t any reason to add weight when bodyweight exercises are more than enough to get the blood flowing. Other common exercise equipment that’s great for the desk include stretching bands, bosu or fitness balls.
Change Your Daily Routine
Some offices offer more desk privacy than others, meaning many workers could be easily discouraged from trying even the simplest desk exercises. If you feel uncomfortable stretching, meditating and doing exercises like squats or lunges at your desk, don’t give up on your chance at a more active office life. Try taking a walk at lunch or on your break instead. There are many health benefits to walking at work, not to mention the fact that you’ll be able to get up from your desk and experience a well-deserved change of scenery. Sometimes it takes time to build momentum, adjust to your a routine and turn daily exercising into a healthy work habit.
Daily desk exercises can help you prevent many harmful effects associated with a sedentary work lifestyle. Whether you’re getting up out of your chair to stretch, adding a few lunch walks to your weekly schedule or storing a kettle bell between your office supplies, improve your work life with great products from Lakeside.
