Making Moves at Work
At work, very little can beat finding flow. That is, becoming utterly lost in whatever’s on your plate. It’s a great sign. Your projects are clearly interesting, complex, and all in all, sufficiently mentally stimulating. In fact, I’ll go ahead and assume that as far as companies go, you’re probably in the right place for you. Good times.
But of course, there’s a dark side.
When we find flow, it’s only natural that we’re reluctant to lose it. We’re held hostage by our workload, and we kind of like it.
It’s not the worst position to be in, but the problem lies in the physical ramifications. Essentially, we’re so caught up that we forget to move. Or worse, we actively deprioritise doing so.
Now we humans, we’re supposedly always evolving, but rest assured, when it comes to spending all day in a chair, we’re really not quite there. It’s unnatural and remains a suboptimal choice as far as posture, waistlines, and wait for it, lifespans, go.
Movement is key, and I don’t mean a 360 degree swivel on that not so ergonomic chair of yours.
Read on for a few realistic ways to keep it moving in the office.
Walking Meetings
Walking. Simple but effective, and certainly not to be reserved for your Saturday morning hikes alone. Believe me, your two hour inclines are incapable of undoing the consequences of your physically passive 40 hour work weeks.
It’s become a running joke amongst professionals across the globe that we hold far too many meetings at work. Meetings for the sake of it. Meetings to discuss whether a meeting is required, and so on.
As truly unnecessary as they may be at times, we can only do our best to transform them into something beautiful.
Enter, the walk and talk.
Be it outdoors or around the office, walking meetings are super engaging and subsequently, often more productive than they otherwise would have been. If you’re tuning in remotely, the same concept applies. Grab your phone, pop your headphones in, and take that meeting on the go. Technology prevails, as do you.
Of course, the walk and talk isn’t compatible with every type of meeting. The oh so serious board meetings and those that require scrolls-worth of notes to be taken are probably best suited to a good old fashioned sit down, whereas 1–1s and brainstorms can certainly be had on the go. Use your judgment, and do what you can to be up and about whenever plausible.
Anywhere Yoga
When you think of yoga, the chances are that vivid imagery of a dark room, a mat, possibly even candles, and limbs everywhere, come to mind. The truth is, yoga can be done at your convenience. All you need is yourself and as little as five meagre minutes, if that.
Whether you prefer to be cooped up in the toilets or standing proudly beside your desk, standing yoga is your friend. Even the speediest of sessions will have you moving your entire body, and feeling reset and re-energised.
Perhaps you’re already familiar with the poses, or you’d prefer to opt for one of the countless online guided sessions. Either way, yoga has never been more accessible.
Take the Scenic Route
Whether you have a quick question for your colleague or your water bottle is due a refill, why not take the scenic route? Rather than aiming to get from A to B as quickly as possible, reframe and opt to maximise the walking opportunity instead.
It’s easily actioned. Head to the furthest possible water cooler. Lap the perimeter of the office a couple of times before you approach your colleague. The opportunities are there.
Optimise Your Rest Breaks
When you’re working a 10 hour day, the least you owe yourself is to take a break. Too often, we work through our breaks or eat at our desks. With just a few clicks, we can have our food delivered to us within 20 minutes, so why move?!
Well, the way that self-respect is set up…
Your body is made to move, and that lunch break of yours poses a great time to honour that. So head outside for a stroll, and if the weather doesn’t allow for it, walk around indoors.
No doubt, there will be days when working through your lunch break seems the only way to see a project through to completion in good time. We’ve all been there, and occasionally, it’s not the worst thing in the world. But if it becomes a habit, well, thats a problem.
There will always be more work to do. Even if we worked all day and night, we’d never be done. How long is a piece of string and all that jazz.
Just as we know to head home at the end of the day, we ought to timebox our lunch breaks and hold ourselves accountable to take them.
Conscious Commuting
Do you drive to work? If so, I’m guessing that you park as close to the office as you possibly can.
Let’s change that.
Next time you pull up, park further back. Way back. Far enough to give you ample opportunity to walk a substantial distance before arriving at your desk. If you commute via public transport, hop off the metro or bus one stop sooner than you usually would. Hence, on both ends of the workday, a walk awaits you.
Or better yet, cycle.
Ta-da! Consider your default commute enhanced. You’ll be exercising, recharging, and unwinding, all at once.
Simple but effective; the expression of the day, and rightfully so. These tips are nothing more than common-sense, and well-worth actioning.
Plus, if you’re anything like my good friend Henry David Thoreau, you’ll find yourself much more productive and creative because of it…
“Me thinks that the minute my legs begin to move my thoughts begin to flow…”
