Staying active is essential for both our physical and mental health. In the past, daily life naturally involved more movement, but modern conveniences and sedentary jobs have made it easier than ever to stay seated for long stretches. Office work, along with leisure activities like watching TV, socializing at the pub, playing online games, or reading, often keeps us sitting for hours.
That doesn’t mean we should give up these enjoyable pastimes. Hobbies and social connections are crucial for our well-being. The key is to be mindful and break up long periods of sitting with movement.
If you’re looking to incorporate more activity into your day, try these simple strategies:
Instead of sending an email, walk over to a colleague’s desk to ask a question. This not only gets you moving but also helps build stronger workplace relationships. Just be considerate and avoid interrupting too often.
Staying hydrated is another easy way to encourage movement. Set hourly reminders to drink water and walk to the kitchen to refill your glass. If you’re in an office, offer to make drinks for others too. Plus, more water means more bathroom breaks—another reason to get up and move.
We often forget to move because we’re absorbed in work or entertainment. Browser extensions like Pomodoro timers can help by breaking your day into focused work sessions with regular breaks. Other tools can simply remind you to stand and stretch every hour.
Your commute is another opportunity to add activity. Walk to a farther bus stop or get off one stop early. If you drive, park farther from the entrance. Feeling ambitious? Try walking or cycling the whole way—you’ll get exercise and save money.
Wearable tech like fitness trackers and smartwatches can help you monitor your activity. Knowing how many steps you’ve taken makes it easier to stay on track. Many devices even send gentle reminders to move if you’ve been inactive for too long.
So, how will you start moving more? Pick a few of these tips and give them a try. The most important thing is to begin—and there’s no better time than today.
