Do you spend most of your day sitting down?
Time to get out and walk
January has been all about paperwork for me, it’s been very admin intensive and as a result some of my normal physical exercise has had to take a backstep.
I am very fortunate that I have some really amazing parks and walks near me.
So in order to maintain some focus on my health and wellbeing I’ve been looking at increasing my daily steps.
To compliment the normal school drop-off and pick-up duties, I'm taking advantage of lunchtime walks to escape my desk, reset in nature, and move my body.
You know what they say, "the simplest things in life can have the greatest impact." And that's the case with walking.
Don't underestimate this underrated form of exercise because it packs a powerful punch when it comes to improving your health and wellbeing.
When we stay seated for extended periods, our circulation slows down, metabolism drops, and our muscles and connective tissue start to feel tight. Not only that, but sitting too much can also make us unhealthier, less fit, and even a feel a bit dumber.
A study of 105 office workers showed that those who sat longer were three times more likely to have a waist circumference larger than 37 inches for men or 31 inches for women (which is not ideal). And those same workers were nine times more likely to have a BMI greater than 30, meaning they were classified as obese. Yikes!
The evidence against prolonged sitting is so strong that some experts even consider it a distinct risk factor for coronary heart disease, putting it in the same category as smoking.
It's time to move!
Movement is also key for maintaining good vision. Since most of us rely on our vision to experience the world, it's important to take care of it. Unfortunately, myopia (nearsightedness) has been on the rise globally and some experts think it's due to too much screen time.
Staring at screens for long periods puts a strain on our eye muscles and stops them from focusing on different distances. This can lead to repetitive strain injuries of the eyes.
That's why movement throughout the day can improve our cognitive and physical health. It can also reduce the strain on our musculoskeletal and metabolic systems, as well as the visual strain associated with seated computer work.
Let's make walking a daily habit. It's free, easily accessible, and a low-impact form of exercise that has numerous benefits.
So, what are you waiting for?
Get up, get moving, and let's step into a healthier and happier future!