HealthcareInteresting Facts About Staying Active During Your 9-5 Desk Job

If you work a 9-5 desk job, you are not alone. Many adults around the world work these hours and as a result, they have a sedentary lifestyle that can lead to numerous health issues and even death. Whether or not you have a treadmill desk or ample break time to engage in healthy habits, there are ways to ensure that you are staying active while you work.

When you work all day while sitting and do not have an active part of the day, you are more at risk of developing certain conditions like dementia, cancer, type II diabetes, and heart disease.

As an adult, you should aim to have 150 minutes of active time per week. However, you can start small. If it’s been a long time since you exercised, you can begin with just 15 minutes a day and work your way up as you build strength and get used to exercise.

The only issue is that most adults do not feel like they have time to exercise so they end up getting off work and then going home to just sleep or sit in front of the TV. If you have children, finding time to exercise takes even more effort.

This guide will show you that finding time for physical activity can be easier than you think. It will also cover interesting facts about staying active to keep you encouraged and motivated.

Your Lunch Time is Important

If you have extra time at lunch, consider using the extra moments to get active rather than sitting around and scrolling on your phone. Although most people have limited time for lunch, you can still use the few extra minutes to go for a walk or do yoga.

If you get active during lunch and get the blood pumping, you will also find that staying active during the rest of the day is easier.

Most people find it harder to work after lunch because they are full and feel sluggish. By doing some exercise after eating, it’s much easier to find motivation to finish the rest of the day.

Stretching Can Improve Your Health

You should stretch for 5-10 minutes for every hour that you work sitting down. This means at the end of every hour, you should stand up and stretch or take a walk for 5-10 minutes. If your office allows you to use walking desks or standing desks, you can get in even more active time by using these desks rather than sitting down the entire 8 hours you are at work.

If you don’t have a walking desk, then walk around the office every hour. Encourage some of your coworkers to do the same. If you have people exercising with you, you will be more motivated and encouraged to get active.

You Can Use Your Commute

Since most people find it difficult to exercise during the day or after work, some people find that the best thing to do is use their commute to get fit. If you drive to work and always take the elevator, consider commuting differently whenever possible.

Although it’s not possible for everyone, some people can bike or walk to work. You don’t have to do it every day, but doing it sometimes can be really beneficial. If you decide to walk to work, make sure the area is safe and that you have the proper clothes and shoes to make the walk comfortable.

Don’t Be Afraid to Challenge the Norms

Something interesting about working a 9-5 is that employees sometimes begin to challenge the norms when they feel like their voices are not being heard. If your boss or company makes everyone work overtime and doesn’t allow for any active breaks, it might be time to speak up and ask for more.

Challenge the company to give the employees discounts to nearby fitness centers so that more people are encouraged to go to the gym or fitness classes.

You can also ask the leaders of the company if they can offer fitness classes during work hours a few times a month. While this takes away from working hours, the employees will still be able to finish all their tasks because the fitness class will boost their concentration and make everyone more productive.

If your company is not willing to help their employees with fitness, this shows they don’t care about the health and wellbeing of their workers which can affect the company.

It Will Be Hard At First

One of the most important things to remember is that getting active at the beginning is hard. If you have been sedentary for a long time, making the first move to get active seems impossible. However, once you start, it will be easier to continue.

Keep in mind that the best way to stay fit is by varying your schedule and the ways you exercise. While some people can run every day, most people find that they need to change up their fitness and exercise in order to stay interested.

Consider a variety of activities including walking, running, fitness classes, or anything else you find interesting.

It’s Easier With Others

If the rest of your office is sitting around, you will find it easier to also just sit around. Try to encourage your co-workers to walk with you or attend a fitness class with you.

You can also make it a friendly competition to see who can walk the furthest or who can attend the gym for the most minutes. Some companies will even make prizes for who can do the most activity.

Try to make the competition about staying fit, not about losing weight as this can encourage better habits than dieting and trying to shed pounds.

Final Thoughts

There is great importance when it comes to exercising and staying active during your 9-5 job. If you do not find time to get active, you’re at higher risk for a number of different health-related problems.

By staying active at your desk job, you can take better care of yourself and your family. Make sure you also create a healthy and varied diet for the best results.

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