esearch suggests that prolonged sitting is unhealthy. It is a key risk factor for obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers. Moving throughout the day can improve your health and may increase work productivity. For those of us on the move, taking time to stretch, relax, or reflect will also help carve out headspace for our next task.

Why You Should Prioritize Movement Breaks 

• Reduce blood pooling (and swelling) in the legs and feet.¹ 

• Increase physical activity and steps throughout the day. ²

• Improve focus while at work. ³

• Promote healthy work life balance. ⁴ 

How to break up your day with movement

Plan to move. Set a timer once an hour to get up and start moving. If you have a smart watch, you are probably already prompted regularly. If not, use your phone or computer to set an hourly reminder. Rather than ignore the alerts (or turning them off), try simply standing up from your desk every few prompts for 5-10 minutes.

Breaking up sedentary time can be as simple as marching in place, walking down the hall or to the printer or restroom. More formally, you could add in 2-3 sets of 10 repetitions of your favorite exercises, or until you feel muscle fatigue. If weather or time permits, head outside of the office for a quick stroll down the street or around the block and get some fresh air. All of these options help to counteract the effects of prolonged sitting and being hunched over at a computer.

Bring a friend or coworker. Some of us benefit from a little company—both for connection and accountability. Enlist a friend and coworker to come along with your movement. If going together is difficult, support each other in your efforts. This can be through reminders to move and encouragement to keep going. “It’s your turn! Go!” In addition to benefiting our health, this is a great opportunity to touch base, brainstorm, or take a meeting without notetaking on the go.

Three ways to move in the workplace

It sounds simple, but we all struggle to move regularly in the modern workplace. Here are three simple exercises to help you get started

1. Bodyweight exercises easily done at a desk or in a shared space:

2. Exercises to combat work posture (sitting while hunched over a computer):

3. Stretches for stress relief:

• General stress management exercises. Breathing; pacing; exercise and stretch.

This article was originally published October 2021.