4 ways to battle sitting at a desk all day

No matter how much you love your job, chances are you don't love sitting all day. 

Even with more offices adopting standing desks and treadmill desks, it's not great to do that all day either. 

So how can you counter the unfavorable aspects of sitting all day?

mix up your commute

People vary in their priorities related to where they live and where they work. Personally, I can't stand a long commute and always try to live as close to work as possible. But for others, sitting in traffic isn't so bad. Maybe you listen to an audiobook or podcast. 

When it comes to counteracting your desk job, you may want to incorporate active commuting, at least a few times a week. There are many ways to incroproate activity into your commute. 

You can park further away, and have a nice walk in to the office. 

If you live in a bike-friendly area, you may consider cycling to work (or combining cycling with the bus).  

If your work place has a shower, you can jog to work, or  lift at the gym before clocking in. You can keep a towel, hair dryer, and other necessities in your office and carry your necessities in a small jogger bag. 

Check out this bicycle road safety guide from Bankrate to learn about:

• Cyclist safety tips during traffic or when off-roading
• Road rules for cyclists and bicycle safety features
• Tips for drivers to help keep cyclists safe
• Bike safety tips for the kiddos

erase bad habits

Oh man - candy bowl, anyone? We have one in my office and when I give in it just derails my entire day. But it doesn't have to be like that - you can take steps to counter act the autopilot habits of reaching for unhealthy snacks, especially during that mid-day slump. Furthermore, if you are craving something sweet or salty, recognize that any food in moderation can fit in a healthy diet, so don't let it derail your day. 

Keeping (healthy) snacks in the cafe fridge rather than in your desk will have you up and walking regularly, so will filling up your water bottle! 

If you are struggling with overcoming those impulses for unhealthy foods (I know I have before) you  can check out these District Hypnosis reviews that talk about how hypnosis helped them.

break up the day

Keeping a water cup at work has me taking frequent breaks to the ice machine to fill back up. It's important physically and mentally to take regular breaks. After all, that's what the pomodoro method is all about. It also gives you a chance to rest your eyes from the computer screen, and to rest your brain to maximize your focus and creativity when you do get back to work. 

There are many resources online for exercises you can do at your desk, especially stretches to help you counter neck, shoulder, and back pain. You can also contribute to a healthier workplace for everyone with my 5 Tips for a Healthier Workplace. 

supercharge your evenings

Assess your mood when you get home from work. Is that a good time of day for you? Can you get ready for the next day or go for a jog? 

I prefer getting up early to tackle my day and relax in the evenings, but if you're the opposite, it's important to take advantage of that time. Use your time to cook a healthy dinner, take a walk with your partner, or read a book. 

Interested in building a home gym - big or small? This helpful article will walk you through the basics, help you identify what you actually need (versus everything you may want), and select your equipment to stay within budget.