MY TOP FOUR WAYS TO AVOID TURNING INTO A DESK MUMMY!
1. GET OFF YOUR CHAIR and SHAKE IT UP! Sounds like a no-brainer, right..but do you do it? Do you find yourself sitting for looooooong stretches? Often when our energy dips and we start feeling stagnant, it’s because we’ve been focusing on one task for too long.You can make a rule 90 minutes sitting, then 15 minutes up off the desk. Close your eyes, and shake your body a bit. Move your shoulders, wiggle your butt, and move your head. We don’t want you to turn into a statue at your desk! Even better, get up and shake your body, do some jumping jacks, or tiny hops. Set an alarm on your computer to alert you to take a break! If you don’t work solo and your co-workers think you’re crazy, who cares! Your performance will be enhanced and your mind and body will be more alert! So there;)
2. PERFECT YOUR POSTURE! Want to look ten pounds heavier and invite back pain? Then slouch away!! Ok, I’m being sarcastic. I always tell my Pilates clients to put post-it’s on their computers with posture, or shoulders down. If your job demands sitting, move forward on your chair to make your abdominals support you, not the chair. While at the computer, be aware of having beautiful open collar bones, and shoulders down your back. If you spend a lot of time on the phone, purchase a headset to save your neck. There are little “cheats” that you can implement to save that body of yours!
3. HYDRATION NATION! Do you know that dehydration not only decreases your brain function but also is a cause of stress? That is enough information for me to drink up! Make sure that you hydrate those gorgeous cells and tissues of yours. Keep water on your desk to have a visual reminder. Replace your coffee break with a water break, your body will thank you and you will feel more alert and stress free. Hate plain water? Add lemon, a vitamin c pack, drink 100% natural coconut water, just NO soda please! This means diet soda too, it’s got fake junk in it and does NOTHING for your body.
4. COMMIT TO BALANCE, you show up for work on time, you make sure the kids are well taken care of, your assignments get completed...but what about you? Make sure you commit to yourself as much as you commit to the demands of your life! How? Calendar your workouts, so it’s an appointment you just can’t miss! Hire a trainer or coach so that you are accountable to someone else. Have workout equipment (little weights, exercise dvd’s, a stability ball or exercise bands) in your home so there is NO excuse to not squeeze in even a little workout. I always tell my clients, 10 minutes is better than ZERO minutes. It all adds up over time, so be sure to commit to taking care of yourself, and balancing your life. You will feel more energy and enjoy your life more…and isn’t that what we all want??