If you have a very tight work schedule, working out can seem completely impossible. Just the thought of rounding up a long day at work and heading straight to the gym is exhausting in itself. But, here’s the thing, long working hours shouldn’t stop you from getting a work out in. Remember that exercising isn’t just about losing weight, it’s also a great way to boost both your physical and mental health.
How about adding a little bit more physical activity to your routine, even at work? Sure, it’ll be a little tricky at first and might even require you to hide your hospital badge reel so no one can recognize you, but it’s entirely doable. To help you out, here are five tips for sneaking in a little bit more exercise at work.
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Workout during your lunch hour
No matter how busy you are, every organization puts aside time for a lunch break. Rather than hanging out at the water cooler to catch up on some gossip, you can use this as your designated workout time, especially if you never have time to work out before or after lunch. This is made even easier if your office has a gym, use it, and make every second count.
More so, if your office doesn’t have a gym on its premises, you can still go for a walk or a run. It doesn’t have to be too far away, just walk around the premises or the neighborhood.
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Incorporate exercise during your commute
Another great time to exercise is during your commute. If you don’t live too far away from work, instead of driving every day or taking the bus, you could use the opportunity to walk or even cycle to work. On the other hand, if you do live quite a long distance away, you could still squeeze in a bit of exercise by parking a couple of blocks away or stopping a couple of bus stops before your stop. With that extra distance, you can either take a walk or jog all the way to work.
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Take the stairs
This is something we hear, every single day that’s it’s become a motto. The thing is, most people are so used to taking the elevator, instead of the stairs so maybe it’s not been said enough. If you’re guilty of this, It’s time for you to make the switch to taking the stairs. Although it’s a seemingly simple practice, it’s actually a very effective way to get a good bit of exercise in.
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Replace your desk chair with an exercise ball
You may not know this, but exercise balls come with a lot of health benefits. While using one, the effort put into achieving balance can help you align your spine. And if we’re all being honest, it’s a pretty enjoyable exercise. Besides, sitting in a rigid chair all day, every day is not good for your health, so why not switch things up a little bit and bounce while you work.
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Move around when you’re on the phone
Have you ever considered pacing while you take your work calls? Although it’s not up there with crunches and cardio, every single step you take counts. Even better, this can give your back and behind a break from all that sitting.
