Like many people, I have a desk based job. Thankfully I enjoy what I do, but that actually might be to my detriment.
You see, because I like what I do, I put in the effort, I sit sedentary behind a desk, immersed in whatever creative or computational issue that has befallen me for long periods of time until I have resolved it.
It’s easy to forget to get up and move about. I know I get so fixated sometimes, that not only do I forget to move about, but I’ve forgotten to drink or eat.
This scenario I am sure is not unfamiliar to many of you reading this.
Did you know that after just 90 minutes of sitting still your blood flow has reduced by 50%.
I lived this routine for many years, until I realised what a hugely positive effect being active had on my work life. It’s that old adage of a healthy body equals a healthy mind.
The NHS states “To stay healthy, adults aged 19 to 64 should try to be active daily and should do: at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling or brisk walking every week and. strength exercises on two or more days a week that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms)”
So in other words, two and a half hours. That’s it, it’s not really that much at all.
If we are in a full-time job, most of us are contracted to around 37hrs/week, so we should be able to squeeze this in.
For me personally, it’s not just about completing a block of sport, it’s about being active on a regular basis during the day.
As we know, many blood clots can be prevented by keeping mobile and well hydrated. So why not, every hour stand up, take a little walk around the office (perhaps to the water cooler) and even stretch.
Just a couple of minutes to me makes the world of difference.
It allows me to press the reset button, it’s having that break to not only physically recharge, but getting the blood flowing also seems to help my mental state and I’m ready for the next hour.
Why not get out at lunch time for a little bit. Getting active is all about taking any opportunity that presents itself to you. This could be exercise in the morning, a walk or cycle to work. Utilising your lunchbreak, or being active on the way home or after work.
It doesn’t take much, a few minutes here, a few minutes there, why not even get the family involved. Being active together is always fun and the time will fly.
For me, running allows me to escape the four walls of the office. It also allows me to escape the stresses and strains that might have been affecting me. More often than not, whilst running I will have an epiphany. This could be a solution to a creative or logical problem, but taking myself out of one environment and placing myself into another really works for me.
Why not see if it works for you and #StepUpToStopClots
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