[dropcap]Y[/dropcap]ou're sitting at your desk and 30, 60, 90 minutes pass by. You're cranking away at your tasks, but the more you're there, the less energized you feel.
This is normal behavior for most business professionals. Just recently I sat at my desk all morning to accomplish a project. By the time I got up, my hip flexors, lower back, neck, everything was tight. I also felt grumpy, on edge and didn't want to be disturbed.
I know you've felt the same way before. Why do we do this to ourselves? Yes, we're trying to accomplish a goal, but in reality, getting up for 5 minutes won't effect our productivity.
55 Minutes of Work, 5 Minutes of Walking
There's a new habit I've been indulging in and it's the 55/5 split. For every 55 minutes of work, take a 5 minute walking break [Tweet This]. This has several benefits for you:
1) Get fresh air 2) Connects you with co-workers and / or employees 3) Encourages the management by walking around concept 4) Introduces your body back to it's natural posture 5) Clears your head
Your body was made to walk and it's the best exercise on the planet. It's easy, simple and you were born to do it. Once you begin to walk more, you'll start seeing the effects.
Walk more and increase energy
Exercise boosts the levels of energizing brain chemicals such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. In one study of 25 business travelers, those who exercised while on the road performed 61 percent better on mental tests than a sedentary group.
Who wouldn't want more energy? It's not like you have to go to the gym and partake in chronic cardio for 60 minutes, just start walking more.
You're Walk More Plan of Action
It's easy to say that walking increases energy and you need to do it, but making it an actionable habit is the tough part.
You and I get caught up throughout the day being entrepreneurs, business professionals. It's hard to try and remember to get up and walk every 55 minutes when you have so many other things to worry about.
But worry no more my friend.
To help you use a pedometer. This little gadget is the only way I'm able to push towards my 10,000 steps a day (it's much harder than you think).
Check out the Striiv Play Unboxed article to learn more about the pedometer that keeps me shooting to walk more.
What problems do you notice from sitting all day? Comment below.