Let’s just admit it, after a long day at work, most of us just want to kickback and unwind. The furthest thing from our minds is spending another hour torturing ourselves on a treadmill, elliptical or any other workout equipment, honestly. But we all know, as exhausted as we may feel, our health is important and should remain a top priority—if not for ourselves, for our loved ones. To combat your post-work fatigue, we found some practical health regimens you can easily incorporate into your day, either at your desk or somewhere around the office.
Walk every chance you get. The next time you have a question for a colleague, resist the urge to shoot a quick email or pick up the phone. Yes, it’s super easy and convenient, especially with the cool Lync messaging feature, but instead, seize the opportunity to walk over to their desk and ask your question in-person. There are also the options to use part of your lunch break to take a stroll and choosing the stairs opposed to the elevator.
- Drink plenty of water. We hear it time and time again, that water is the best form of hydration. And that’s because, outside of quenching your thirst, water removes a lot of the toxins and by-products that cause major weight gain. On top of that, it curves your appetite, ridding you of that pesky desire to constantly snack throughout the day.
- If you must snack, snack wisely. Unfortunately, that means it’s adiós to the Doritos. Trust us, we get it, “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” But, what’s sweeter is knowing that there are so many healthier options out there. Consider stocking up on fresh fruit during your next trip to the super-market. Fruits like bananas, grapes, and apples are perfect snacks to munch on in-between calls, team meetings, and responding to all those highly urgent emails.
- Give your tush a break, stand up! Being seated for prolonged periods of time is literally taking years off your life. YIKES! Before you panic, know that standing up every couple of hours for at least five minutes can give you back those years and reduce your chances of developing cancer and diabetes. And while you’re up, make sure you’re stretching. It’ll keep your joints loose and stop you from toppling over as much.
- “Deskercise” - Desk Exercises. Here’s your chance to get that six-pack you’ve been wanting. There are a ton of websites out there loaded with exercises you can do while seated; many of them targeting the tummy area and leg muscles. When you find the routine that best suites you, be sure to mix up the exercises for the best results. This allows the body to be more productive and less likely to hit a plateau.
Now that you have a few best practices for staying fit at the office, don’t keep it a secret. Get your colleagues to join and make it a team effort. Start a workplace challenge, and get the entire company involved. That’ll thank you in the end.
