I just cleaned out my junk drawer.
While that may not be groundbreaking news, tidying up the space we all have in our kitchens as a repository for coupons, menus, extra keys and spare batteries can actually benefit our health.
How, you ask?
When the renowned Mayo Clinic announced a few years ago that ‘sitting is the new smoking’ it was more than just a catchy phrase. They were warning that prolonged sitting can be seriously hazardous to your health.
The list of consequences is alarming and quite frightening. Risks include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, depression, anxiety, muscle wasting, and painful conditions for your hips and back.
If you’ve ever sat down at your desk in the morning only to look up and realize it’s already lunchtime, here are a few ideas to help you stay active…
- Walk around while you’re on the phone or a Zoom call
- Eat lunch away from your desk
- Stand up while reading emails or reports
- Move your wastepaper basket away from your desk so you have to stand up to
- discard something
- Set a timer on your phone to remind you to get up and move every 30 to 60
- minutes
- Keep a running list of non-work related ‘to-do’s’, like cleaning your junk drawer or
folding laundry, so you’ll always have chores that get you standing up - If possible, go outside for your breaks. You may find that a change of scenery
and some fresh air give you a new perspective on the tasks at hand
As an added benefit, if you’re like me, getting up will actually re-energize you and help you focus better.
Cheers – and happy standing!
