There are many different studies that indicate it is both mentally and physically imperative that the human body moves every so often. Pretty much anyone reading Source of Title sits on their bums for a good long stretch daily.
In a past office of mine, we did the typical 8 hours stint of sitting flat on our bums. At times it was longer due to massive projects and unfortunately our belts started to expand and we all started feeling a bit groggy.
One of the chipper fellows coined a phrase DESKERCISES and would softly chant ever so often a little routine that we would all go through. This is going to sound HORRIBLE but it went something like this: “clench” repeatedly for a count of 10 – 20 (which basically meant that we would clench our upper leg muscles and our bums, straightening out our posture as well). Then we would all lean to the side and stretch “stretch, 1, 2, 3”. While filing we started exerting the most physical effort possible in opening the drawers and ever so often we would all jump up and reach up on our tippy toes and reach down to our feet, squat, kick, straighten out your back.
We all started feeling more mentally acute and then we expanded on this concept: no sugar in the office, drink lots of water (8 cups a day is average and recommended), snack on veggies not sweets, keep your metabolism going by not starving yourself between meals and so on. Attitudes improved, the grumblings decreased and we all felt a hell of a lot better.
It became an internal game that did catch on and made it fun. Some positive peer pressure if you will.
I have heard that managers want you to not strain your back so recommend that all of your working necessities stay within direct arm length. This is fine, but every once in a while move around, take a walk for lunch.
Now we have all sorts of aids, those yoga ball chairs (they are actually really comfortable) to align your posture and keep those bums from flattening out.
Since most of you have put forth goals for the New Year and “losing weight” or “becoming more fit” is the most popular. I did want to let you know of something that has worked for me in the past. Not an overall weight loss plan, but it is a definite aid for the office worker.
To an excellent new year!
Amy Jensen
Timely Documents, Inc
www.TimelyDocuments.com