Desk-bound no more: Tips for staying active during the workday

Jeff Shepherd
6 min readMay 31, 2023

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Photo by TheStandingDesk on Unsplash

Are you tired of feeling like a sedentary zombie after hours of staring at your computer screen?

Discover the secret to staying active and energized during your desk job with these simple desk exercises and tips!

TL;DR

– Sitting at a desk for hours can lead to a sedentary lifestyle and health problems.
– Desk exercises can be done while sitting and improve posture, energy levels, and burn calories.
– Taking breaks to stretch and move around, using a standing desk or stability ball, and doing calf raises or foot circles can also help.
– Desk stretches can reduce tension and improve flexibility.
– Developing healthy habits like taking the stairs and walking during lunch breaks can also help.
– Staying active while working at a desk is important for overall health and well-being.

How to Stay Active Throughout the Day While Working at a Desk

In today’s world, it is not uncommon for people to spend hours sitting at their desks, staring at their computer screens.

While this may be necessary for work, it can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to a variety of health problems.

However, there are ways to combat this and stay active while at work.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

One way to stay active while working at a desk is to do desk exercises.

Desk exercises are simple exercises that can be done while sitting at your desk. These exercises can help improve your posture, increase your energy levels, and even burn calories. Some examples of desk exercises include leg lifts, chair squats, and arm stretches.

In addition to desk exercises, there are other tips for staying active during a desk job.

One tip is to take breaks throughout the day to stretch your legs and move around. This can help increase blood flow and prevent stiffness. I enjoy doing a quick stretch or two between calls, especially if they are mentally draining or stressful. This serves as an excellent way to recenter yourself and prepare for the next task at hand.

Another tip is to use a standing desk or a stability ball as an alternative to a traditional desk chair. This can help engage your core muscles and improve your posture.

Photo by TheStandingDesk on Unsplash

It is important to remember that sitting doesn’t have to mean stagnant. There are many ways to stay active while sitting at a desk. For example, you can try doing calf raises or foot circles while sitting. You can also use resistance bands or hand weights to do arm exercises while sitting.

Stretching is also important for staying active throughout the day. Desk stretches can help reduce tension and improve flexibility. Some examples of desk stretches include neck stretches, shoulder shrugs, and wrist stretches.

Desk exercises are an effective way to combat sedentary work. By incorporating these exercises into your daily routine, you can increase your activity level and improve your overall health.

Photo by Lindsay Henwood on Unsplash

In addition to desk exercises, it is important to develop healthy habits for staying active during a desk job. This can include taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking farther away from your office, and taking walks during your lunch break.

There are many effective ways to keep moving while working at a desk. By staying active throughout the day, you can improve your health and well-being.

Whether you choose to do desk exercises, take breaks to stretch, or develop healthy habits, there are many ways to stay active while working at a desk.

Best Practices To Remember

1. Take frequent breaks and stretch regularly.
2. Use a standing desk or adjustable desk to change positions.
3. Take a walk during breaks or lunchtime.
4. Use a stability ball instead of a chair to engage core muscles.
5. Incorporate physical activity into your workday, such as walking meetings or desk exercises.
6. Stay hydrated and eat healthy snacks to maintain energy levels.
7. Use a pedometer or activity tracker to monitor movement and set goals.
8. Practice good posture to reduce strain on muscles and joints.
9. Use a timer or app to remind yourself to move regularly.
10. Engage in physical activities outside of work to maintain overall health and fitness.

Photo by Nigel Msipa on Unsplash

Mental Model

Imagine your body as a plant that needs proper care and attention to thrive. Just like a plant needs water, sunlight, and nutrients to grow, your body needs breaks, movement, and nourishment to stay healthy while working.

To take care of your body-plant, remember to take frequent breaks and stretch like you would water your plant. Use a standing desk or adjustable desk to change positions like you would move your plant to a sunnier spot.

Take a walk during breaks or lunchtime like you would give your plant fresh air. Use a stability ball instead of a chair to engage core muscles like you would use a trellis to support your plant’s growth.

Incorporate physical activity into your workday like you would prune your plant to shape its growth. Stay hydrated and eat healthy snacks to maintain energy levels like you would feed your plant with nutrients.

Use a pedometer or activity tracker to monitor movement and set goals like you would track your plant’s growth. Practice good posture to reduce strain on muscles and joints like you would stake your plant to prevent bending. Use a timer or app to remind yourself to move regularly like you would set a watering schedule for your plant.

Finally, engage in physical activities outside of work to maintain overall health and fitness like you would take your plant out for a walk in nature. Remember, just like a well-cared-for plant, a healthy body can lead to increased productivity and happiness in your work and personal life.

Further Learning

Benefits of Time Management in Improving Finances

How to Prioritize Personal Life and Building a Successful Career

Benefits of Taking Regular Breaks and Exercise During Work

Wrap Up

In conclusion, a sedentary lifestyle can have negative effects on our health, but there are many ways to combat it while working at a desk.

Desk exercises, taking breaks to stretch, and developing healthy habits can all make a significant difference in our activity levels and overall well-being.

It is important to prioritize our health and find ways to stay active throughout the day, even while sitting at a desk.

By doing so, we can improve our physical and mental health and lead a more fulfilling life.

Keep in touch

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Join the community of like-minded individuals striving towards success!

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Jeff Shepherd

Small-town farm kid turned time management master. Sharing time-saving, money-making tips on Effective Efficiency. Join me on the journey to a fulfilling life!