The World Health Organisation lists inactivity as the fourth biggest killer of adults and a couple of months ago The Lancet said ‘sitting is the new smoking’. Physical inactivity is now on target to cause more deaths than cancer; it already causes 9% of premature mortality.
For those of us working in an office it can be all too easy to come in, park at our desks and stay there all day. By making a few subtle changes and creating some new habits, we can make our day more active and help to boost our health.
Keep walking
A good starting point when it comes to increasing your activity is to monitor how many steps you take a day, and then try to increase it to the recommended 10,000 a day. Do this by taking a walk during your lunch break, walking to your colleagues desk rather than emailing them, use the stairs rather than the lift – even getting up to make the tea will help.
Meet in a new way
Rather than an hour-long seated meeting, which can encourage boredom and lethargy, try a 15-minute standing meeting. Data shows that standing meetings are not only more time-efficient, they are also more effective. Need a private word with someone? Instead of using a meeting room, take them outside for a quick walk. This can ease the tension and offer a less formal environment.
Keep your desk for work
Avoid making your desk a go-to place for activity in the office. If possible, take advantage of other work settings and social areas, and try not to eat lunch at your desk – studies show doing so lowers productivity and increases hunger later in the day.
If you need help creating more habits to benefit your health and lose weight, why not see a hypnotherapist? For more information, please see our Weight Loss page.
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