Don't Just Stand There - Move!
Posted by Human Solution on Aug 8th 2014
Get to steppin'!
If you really want to maximize the energy boost and calorie burn that come naturally with standing while you work, it's a great idea to add a little movement to your routine. This is especially important if you prefer to stand for the majority of the day, as prolonged stationary standing can come with a few health risks such as leg swelling. The good news is, it's easy to add some movement while still maintaining productivity.
Don't you want to look cool at work? YOU CAN.
One option is to add a treadmill to your desk. LifeSpan treadmills are a great choice because they don't require any connecting wires or hardware; you just place it under your desk and start walking. A gentle pace of 1-2 miles per hour will keep your muscles active, and it's easy to complete your normal work tasks, such as typing, reading, talking on the phone, and mousing. In fact, if you've ever called our customer service line, there's a good chance that whomever you're talking to is walking during the call. We've all got UPLIFT Treadmill Desks here in the office, and we swear by them.
If you don't have the space for a treadmill, or if you're not quite ready for the financial investment, you still have a number of options. The simplest solution is to simply sway back and forth a bit on your standing desk mat. Even this subtle movement can help with circulation and add a boost to your calorie expenditure. If you're not too self-conscious, you can grab your headphones and dance a bit. We have Music Fridays in our office, where we pick a theme and everyone plays a song in rotation, and I have been known to bust a move a time or two, as the kids say. (Or did say, in 1989.)
You might also try a balance board or a set of twist boards, both of which are great for your leg muscles and core. Toning up and burning calories while you're on the clock? Talk about multitasking, my friend.
You can even take a little break from work and do a few yoga poses to get a nice stretch. Some good choices are tree pose, forward folds, standing crescent, goddess and revolved goddess, chair pose, and mountain pose. All of these will not only help strengthen your legs for comfortable standing, but they'll also give you a moment of calm in the middle of a busy workday. You can learn more about these beginner-friendly poses with a quick online search if you're new to yoga. True, you may not be in an office setting here you feel comfortable stretching at your desk, but this can be a good option if you have a home office or a relatively private work area.
If none of these tips do the trick for you, stay tuned. I'm currently working on modifying Prancercise for a standing desk.
We've got all kinds of ways to keep you healthy at work at TheHumanSolution.com.
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