Easy Exercise Habits To Boost Mood and Productivity
Did you know that doing short exercise activities throughout the day can significantly improve your overall health? Research shows that daily exercise habits, like walking and stretching, reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease, lowers blood pressure, and improves blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Some of these activities are quick and can be done easily right at your workstation. Check out these three easy exercise tips to boost your mood and have a more productive workday:
Stretch at Your Desk
The number of work hours we spend looking at a screen can often lead to stiff and sore muscles. Doing some easy stretches right at your desk can help loosen your muscles and relax your mind – especially after a long meeting or phone call. An article from Healthline says the easiest way to do this at your desk is by doing upper body stretches, including neck rolls, torso rotations, reaching your arms overhead, and rolling your shoulders. You can also stand up and do a few full body stretches if you have extra time to spare. These easy stretches can give you an energy boost to stay more alert as you continue your workday.
Get Your Arms Moving
Another great exercise to do at your desk includes exercising your arms with weights. You can keep a pair of hand weights in your desk drawer and grab them out when you’re listening to a phone call or watching a webinar. These weights can help tone your triceps and are easy to do in repetition. A seated shoulder press includes holding a weight near your shoulder (keeping your elbow bent at 90 degrees), pushing the weight upwards until your arm is fully extended, pausing, and slowly lowering it down to eye level. You can increase the number of repetitions as you continue doing this exercise.
Go on a Quick Power Walk
We know that taking small breaks throughout the workday is beneficial, so if you’re looking for a short activity that gets you away from your desk, consider going on a quick 15-minute power walk. While you can always talk on the phone during your walk, it’s also useful to use the time to take a mental break. Focus on breathing in the fresh air and resetting your mind. Being present and connecting with nature during your power walk can help foster creativity and allow you to see things in a different light.
Stretching at your desk, moving your arms, and going on a quick power walk are all easy and efficient ways to get your blood pumping and your body moving. Incorporate a few of these simple daily exercise habits into your routine and let the benefits lead you to a more productive and energetic workday.
