It’s easy to get into a routine that doesn’t maximize your health. Work can be tiring, and sometimes the main objective of the day is just to get through it. You won’t always have the time or energy to go on a run during your lunch break or to leave work early for a hike. This shouldn’t stop you from meeting your step goal for the day! While you may not be able to change your office into a gym overnight, you can use these six tricks to get some more steps in throughout the day.
Use Stairs Whenever Possible
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Yes, the elevator can look very tempting, but it won’t help your health. Climbing those steps to success will get your blood moving, and wake you up! Most importantly, you should stay committed to your routine, or else you might run the risk of falling back into your old routine.
Volunteer for the Drink Run
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If everyone’s in need of a caffeine boost, volunteer to pick up some drinks from your local coffee shop, and get the chance to get some fresh air and have a short walk. Taking this time away from work will also help you wake up and help out your coworkers at the same time!
Drink Plenty of Water
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It’s very important to drink plenty of water throughout the day – especially if you’re drinking coffee, since it’s a dehydrant. A nice bonus is that more water means more bathroom breaks, which means more opportunities to take a stretch break, and a little walk. If you’re office has more than one floor, consider climbing upstairs or downstairs to another bathroom for some extra steps.
Stay Active During Calls
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When you’re taking a call, if possible, try walking around the office or outside to add some extra steps into your day. If you need to stay close to your desk, just pace nearby or carry important documents with you. Giving yourself the opportunity to get some blood flowing might also help improve cognition and keep you alert during important phone calls!
Walk to the Next Station
Photo courtesy of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alewife_(MBTA_station)
If you’ve got some extra time either in the morning or evening, and you use public transportation on your way to work, try skipping a stop to get some extra walking in. It’ll also give you an opportunity to get more familiar with the area that you work in if you haven’t had the chance to explore yet!
Ditch the Emails
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The best way to get a fast and quick response to a question is to ask it in person. If you have a question for a coworker, walk over to their desk and ask them in person. This way, you can get a little more exercise, and they can have one less email in their inbox to go through!
