When you are sitting at your desk all day, it is easy to forget the importance of movement. As you all know, being a young professional in the corporate world is tough – you have little to no time to take a break, you are swamped with work, and you are trying to build up your reputation. A fast and simple way to incorporate a healthy break is walking and getting some fresh air!
According to Harvard Medical School’s Health Publications, “Walking is a man’s best medicine”. The Health Publication explains, “Whether you walk in a business suit or a sweat suit, on city streets or country roads, it’s still the same left, right, left for health. In fact, it’s not a question of either/or, since every walk you take is a step toward good health”.
Walking is a simple way to burn some calories at work and take a much-needed break from your cubicle. Keeping your body moving during the day will increase your blood circulation, improve your energy levels, and boost your mood. According to the Mayo Clinic, when you put one foot in front of the other, you improve blood flow to your legs, which will help prevent blood clots that are common in people that live sedentary lifestyles. Also, taking a walk will improve your energy levels while burning off some major calories! Lastly, the endorphins from the exercise will boost your mood for the rest of the day. Here are some tips from the Mayo Clinic on how to improve your walking techniques:
- Your head is up. You’re looking forward, not at the ground.
- Your neck, shoulders and back are relaxed, not stiffly upright.
- You’re swinging your arms freely with a slight bend in your elbows. A little pumping with your arms is OK.
- Your stomach muscles are slightly tightened and your back is straight, not arched forward or backward.
- You’re walking smoothly, rolling your foot from heel to toe.
My advice on how to incorporate walking at work:
1. Have walking meetings, especially if you are meeting one-on-one with an employee. It will give you both some fresh air and some time away from the stuffy office.
2. Take a 20-minute walk after your lunch break. It will help maintain energy levels and boost endorphins, putting you in a better mood! Go outside and walk around your company’s campus or at a nearby park.
3. Take walking breaks between work. If you have been sitting for more than an hour, walk around the office for 10 minutes.
4. Park your car further away from work to walk to the office.
5. Take the stairs when you go to another floor or need to use the restroom.
Visit the Mayo Clinic website for more information on the benefits of walking.
Each stride counts, so go outside and get started!
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