9 Ways to up Your Step Count at the Office

byMarc Lindsay
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9 Ways to up Your Step Count at the Office

Sitting at your deskfor long periods of timecan reduce blood circulation, increase your risk for depression and obesity and causemuscular imbalancesthat can lead to injury. But regularlywalkingthroughout the day (for evenjust five minutes at a time) can help you stay active, healthy and increase your productivity.

Whether your goal isto reach 10,000 steps per dayor just take a mental break, try these nine creative ways to walk more at work:

1

PARK AS FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE

Opt for the fourth floor of the parking garage or way down the street where there aren’t many cars. It’ll only add a few minutes of extra time to get to the office, but it can be a great way to add a short burst of exercise to your day.

2

DON’T HAVE A WATER BOTTLE AT YOUR DESK

Goodhydrationisimportant for promoting overall healthand万博彩票下载安卓. To kill two birds with one stone, keep a small cup at your desk so you have a reason to get up frequently for water refills. Those extra 100 steps each hour add up by the end of the day. If there’s more than one water cooler, skip the one right by your desk and head down the hallway for an added benefit.

3

USE THE BATHROOM THAT’S FURTHEST AWAY

If you’rehydrating well, you’ll likely make more frequent bathroom stops. When you do need to get up, head to a bathroom on a different floor — andtake the stairsto get there instead of the elevator.

4

EXERCISE DURING LUNCH

Amidday breakcan be a great way to re-energize and clear your mind. If you have a gym available, try to fit in 15–30 minutes on thetreadmill. Or go for a walk around your office building andget some vitamin Dif the weather permits. This helpsboost energy levelsand makes you more productive during the second half of your day.

5

WALK AROUND DURING YOUR PHONE CALLS

Between conference calls and speaking with clients, it’s not uncommon to spend a large portion of your day on the phone. However, if you don’t need access to a computer while you chat, stand up whenever you’re talking on the phone. You can walk around the office or pace close to your desk.

6

TAKE YOUR MEETING OUTDOORS

If you have a small meeting with a couple coworkers, suggest you head outdoors for the discussion. Spendingtime in natureandwalking while you talkcan lighten the mood and make your meeting more enjoyable.

7

SEND FEWER EMAILS

也可以很容易地在一些对话person instead of loading up someone’s inbox. Whenever possible, get up for quick questions and walk to your colleague’s desk. Besidesupping your step count, it can also bea good way to connectwith the people you work with, which has been shown to improve health.

8

TAKE 500 STEPS BEFORE EVERY MEETING

When you schedule meetings on your calendar, add 2–3 minutes before they start for aquick walk. Aim to take at least 500 steps before you head into the conference room. This helps work out any stiffness in your body before you prepare for more sitting around.

9

GET COFFEE OR LUNCH ON FOOT

Instead of taking a car or local transit, take a walk to grab a coffee or your lunch. The extra exercise makes you feel better and canaid with digestion.

About the Author

Marc Lindsay

Marcis a freelance writer based in Scottsdale, Arizona. He holds a master’s degree in writing from Portland State University and is a certified physical therapy assistant. An avid cyclist and runner of over 20 years, Marc contributes toLAVA, CompetitorandPhoenix Outdoormagazines. He is the former cycling editor for Active.com.

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