Monday Tip: Move
Did you know that because we are descended from nomads, the human body is really designed to walk 10 km a day. Less physical activity than that is actually harmful.
Spending a day sitting in your car, at your desk, in your car and on the couch in front of the TV is as unhealthy as smoking a pack of cigarettes. No kidding!
Most of us today have jobs that are high on brain activity and low on physical activity – not good. A body is more than “that thing, that carries my head from one meeting to the next,” and the state of your body is vital for your physical well-being and for your creativity and energy.
So today, do what you would normally do – but move your body while you do it. Walk around a little while talking on the phone. Have a stand-up meeting. Sit as little as possible. Walk over to talk to colleagues, instead of emailing or phoning. Basically use every chance you get to activate your body.
Notice how it feels and how this may actually make you less tired both mentally and physically than sitting passively in your chair all day.
The Chief Happiness Officer’s monday tips are simple, easy, fun things you can do to make yourself and others happy at work and get the work-week off to a great start. Something everyone can do in five minutes, tops. When you try it, write a comment here to tell me how it went.
Dan Eastwell Said,
October 9, 2006 @ 11:31 am
I have a four hour commute on a cramped commuter train (with pretty poorly designed seats), I work an average eight hour day, seated on a Hermann-Miller chair, and have an hour lunch, again seated.
I used to run everyday, before I started commuting, and your post rings very true – I’ve needed to wear knee supports as a result of inactivity and am looking forward to stopping commuting!
Do you have any sources that back up these comments?
Alexander Kjerulf Said,
October 9, 2006 @ 12:10 pm
A four hour commute – that’s wild!
I have one link here that backs up my claims:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_2_1x_Were_Killing_Ourselves.asp
Dan Eastwell Said,
October 9, 2006 @ 12:25 pm
I should have said ‘four hour daily commute’, but it’s still pretty bad, although people obviously have it worse, with longer overtime, etc.
I don’t find those figures at all surprising, disappointingly. Though, I can’t wait to get back to a morning jog, nonetheless
Aamer Agha Said,
October 9, 2006 @ 5:16 pm
Thanks for your positive, motivating site. Thanks for your efforts and thanks for remaining positive and avoiding cynicism.
Boy, do I ever need to start moving! Through too little exercise and too much stress eating I’ve got to the stage when my excess weight is hampering my concentration at work. Exercise seems to be a necessity in maintaining not just good physical but also proper mental balance.
Nneka Said,
October 9, 2006 @ 6:21 pm
That’s the best thing about my job right now. I work downtown so I walk about 10 minutes to and from my car in the morning and evening, take 2-15 minute breaks, and walk downtown for lunch (30 minute round trip).
I have gotten so much out of it: mental clarity, good breaks in the day, energy boosts. It also helps me to make it through an otherwise unchallenging day. Although, I’m working on that too ;-)
Alexander Said,
October 12, 2006 @ 10:28 am
Dan: 4 hrs/day is still bad :o) A morning jog is probably nicer!
Aamer: There you have it. When we stop using our bodies, they slowly deteriorate. And thanks for the kind words!
Nneka: Excellent! That’s pretty much my situation, though I ride my bicycle to work like 30% of all Copenhageners.
Jeff The Poustman Said,
October 14, 2006 @ 9:18 pm
Very good point– it often strikes me how since I’ve stopped doing personal training (as the trainer) and started doing business training (as the trainer, again) I’m almost completely sedentary.
An average brisk walk is about 3km/h. So we’re looking at, ideally, a good 4.5 hours per day, correct? That’ll be a challenge.
Might it be viable to set up my laptop and phone so I can work on the treadmill for portions of the day?
3 kmh is too fast to type, though. So bring the speed down to say 2 kmh, and we’re on the treadmill for 5 hours.
Whew. Not very practical. Just pondering aloud….
Alexander Said,
October 16, 2006 @ 1:41 pm
Jeff: It doesn’t need to be 10km walking, just an equivalent physical load over the day.
Though one guy did in fact construct a treadmill desk:
http://maisonbisson.com/blog/post/11074/