Sitting for long periods of time is hazardous to your health. Research shows that a number of health concerns have been linked to a sedentary lifestyle including obesity, increased blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and high blood sugar. This metabolic syndrome can increase the risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease. Even if you are active, you still need to get up often and move. Exercise does not cancel out the ill effects of too much sitting.
To avoid long periods of sitting, you can incorporate SBAs, or short burst of activity, into your daily routine at the office. If done frequently, you can improve your metabolic health along with reducing the strain on your back, shoulders, and eyes. Read below for a sample list of 10 ways you can keep moving throughout the day!
9 Short Burst Activities or SBAs:
1. Stand up and get some water.
2. Walk around the room when you are talking on your cell.
3. While on the phone, stand and do the flamingo (balancing exercise).
4. Stand up and walk the length of the hallway every 30-minutes.
5. Take the stairs to the next floor to use the bathroom.
6. Don’t email office colleagues, instead walk to their desk.
7. Add 5-minute walk breaks with every coffee break.
8. Use your chair as a piece of exercise equipment – dips, etc.
9. Try incorporating a standing desk into your office space – or a high table or counter if you work from home.
And yes, wear your heart rate sensor and record your data all day.