THE modern workplace has conditioned many of us to spend long hours seated, often with little movement throughout the day. While this may seem unavoidable, reality hits when we realise that prolonged sitting can take a serious toll on our health, both physically and mentally. The constant cycle of desk work, commuting, and unwinding in front of a screen has led to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, one that quietly erodes our well-being over time.

However, this does not mean we are powerless. There are numerous methods to reduce the impacts of this lifestyle and live a healthier work life without considering abandoning your job or making drastic life changes to mitigate the effects of prolonged sitting. With various adjustments, the possibility of integrating more movement into your daily routine and counteracting the negative impact of a sedentary work environment is highly achievable.

The sneaky damage of sitting too long

Prolonged sitting slows circulation, weakens muscles, and potentially progresses to weight gain. Additionally, prolonged sitting is linked to higher risks of heart disease and even depression. Unfortunately, some of these are unrecognisable at first; instead, the effects sneakily creep in and take over our bodies. One minute you’re deep in e-mail, the next, you realise you haven’t moved in hours, your back is screaming, your eyes are wandering, your brain is frazzled, and your energy is non-existent. Sounds familiar? When was the last time you stood up for the sake of it? If you have to think about it, it’s been too long. Nevertheless, on the positive side, you do not need a life overhaul; just a few small tweaks can get you moving and feeling better.

How to break the sedentary cycle on the 9-5 grind

Below are nine approaches to help you break the cycle of a sedentary work life.

1)The 30-minute rule: If you take one thing from this article, let it be this: Move every 30 minutes. Stand up, stretch, pace around, do something. Set a reminder if you must; your future self will thank you.

2)Arrange walking meetings: If your job allows it, turn a sit-down meeting into a walking one; it is a game-changer. Not only does this get your blood circulating, but it also helps with focus. Bonus: It is an excuse to escape the dreaded conference room.

3)Stretch, stretch, stretch: Since sitting tightens your hip flexors, weakens your glutes, and messes up your posture, take a few minutes to do neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, and standing hamstring stretches. I challenge you to do five neck rolls, 10 shoulder shrugs, and 15 hamstring stretches now.

4) Rethink your workspace: If possible, try a standing desk or a desk converter. This does not require heavy spending and extras; stacking books under your laptop for a simple do-it-yourself set-up works pretty well. You do not need a piece of fancy equipment, just a little creativity.

5)Lunch break equals movement break: Instead of mindlessly scrolling through your phone, take a quick walk outside. Fresh air, sunlight, and movement are three things your body craves but rarely gets enough of.

6)Ditch the elevator: Take the stairs when you can. Though it’s a small effort, those steps add up. Luckily, there are numerous smartphone apps such as Map My Walk, Steps App, and Google Fit, etc, available to help track your walking progress and motivate you to reach your walking goal. So team up with a colleague and start walking!

7)Hydrate to move: Drinking more water is an easy hack to get you up and moving. The more you drink, the more bathroom breaks you’ll take, and movement will be achieved! Plus, hydration is key for your energy levels.

8)Desk exercises & small movements: Ankle rolls, seated leg shifts, and shoulder blade squeezes are all small movements that keep your muscles engaged even when you are stuck to a chair. I urge you to try this now.

9)Find an accountability buddy: Everything’s easier when you have someone to remind you. Therefore, find a co-worker on board and set movement goals. Or simply, send each other reminders such as, “Get up and stretch your legs before they stop working”.

Key takeaways

Your job does not have to wreck your health. Sure, the nine-t0-five set-up isn’t as ideal for movement; however, with a few simple changes, you can break out of the sedentary cycle. Get your move on more, and take full control of your well-being, one stretch, walk, or water break at a time goes a long way. Now, be honest, are you still sitting while reading this? Take the hint: Stand up and move! Your body will thank you later.

Contact Britania Bernard at britaniabernard22@gmail.com.