Staying Fit Even with a Desk Job

Work can be confined and sometimes overwhelmingly stressful. This can leave you feeling tense and just not right. Workplace stress is a common dilemma, especially in the constricting office environment. Studies have documented that sitting for extended amount of hours is bad for your health.

However, there are ways to keep moving even if you are confined to a cubicle. Here are some great ideas to stay fit while at the office.

Stretching for Success

Stretches are the way to go, and there are quite a few that you can take a few seconds to do right in your desk chair. By interlocking your fingers and raising your arms above your head, you stretch and relieve muscles and open your lungs improving airflow in your body.

The shoulder stretch can be easily done from a sitting position by holding your elbow (left or right) with one hand and pushing it up your chest to stretch it. Hold for about 15 to 30 seconds and then do the other.

This simple stretch will help to relieve pains caused by stiffness from sitting in your chair all day.

Another great stretch for helping with the stiff neck that often comes with staring into a computer screen all day is the Chin Stretch.

Pull your chin into your chest until you begin to feel the tension in the back of your neck and hold there for 15 to 30 seconds. To further this stretch, slowly rotate your head around your neck as this will further relieve stiffness and stress.

Office Fit

If you find yourself working long hours and spending a little too much time and money in the break room, it might be best to start packing a lunch and working out some. Sure, you will pack a lunch and there might even occasionally be something resembling veggies in it. However, with your schedule, how on earth are you supposed to find the time to develop a workout routine let alone visit a gym?

While nothing beats a hardcore workout outdoors at home or in the gym, should you find yourself without the time or energy to hit it hard before or after work, there are a few awesome exercises you can do in the comfort of your cubicle. 

Bring some dumb bells to work like a set of 5-8 pounds and a set of 15 to 20 pounds. Practice some bicep curls by doing a set of 12 with your heavier weight and then back to work for a few minutes before you then repeat it.

With the small weights, you can get a little more creative and work your triceps by raising your whole arm towards the office ceiling while holding the lighter dumb bell.

Lastly, consider using your lunch break to hit the stairs if your office has them rather than the elevator or see if you can take a few laps around the nearby blocks. This will help keep blood circulating and potentially alleviate that drowsy feeling that comes on every afternoon!