Eight tips on how to exercise at work

Working in an office can be stressful and busy, so it’s important to make sure you maintain a healthy work-life balance. While getting out for exercise might seem impossible, there are ways to ensure you can maintain your physical and mental health.

Get the blood pumping

Try to exercise regularly. It can be extremely beneficial to start your morning early, and going for a jog to wake you up. With a daily commute taking up most of your mornings and evenings, try to make the most of your weekend. You can also try strength exercises, which are quick and simple to do. Try doing regular squats, lunges, sit ups and press ups. This will help with your fitness and are time efficient.

Mind the gap

When you next go to hop on a bus, or tube, think about it. Could you walk the distance? This can be another way to up your daily exercise but to also save money on transport. Remember to pack your sensible walking trainers. It may be a fashion faux pas, but you would hate to ruin your lovely work shoes walking to and from the office each day!

When taking the tube, why not take the stairs, or walk up the escalator? Get your heart rate going! Another way to get the blood pumping is the race to get your train home. Aim to get the sooner train, and make it your mission to get there on time. When you get to the office, try the stairs rather than the lift, though this may be difficult in a sky scraper!

On your bike

Ever thought about taking a Santander bike to work? This is a fantastic way to commute in to the office. Not only is it time effective, but it is also extremely cost effective. For just £2 per day, you can rent a bike and don’t have to worry about storing it. You will be able to beat the traffic and avoid the sweaty, packed tubes. Remember to dock it every half an hour, otherwise you may incur charges.

Running club

Talk to your colleagues and ask them how they keep fit. If they are willing, why not start a company running club? Whether you organise this for the beginning, middle, or end of day, get your running gear on and take a half hour run. This will enable you to get fit with the company of your colleagues, but also give you the time to bond and get to know your colleagues outside of an office-based environment. Make sure there is a shower in your office though, otherwise it could be rather uncomfortable!

Breakfast

With breakfast being the most important meal of the day, you must remember to make time for it! Yes, office work can be fast paced and skipping breakfast may save you valuable time, but your body needs fuel for the day ahead. Ensure you start your day with a slow release energy source, such as porridge. This should fill you up and keep you going until lunch and will help you avoid the temptation of the lethal snacking! If you feel the need to snack, have a piece of fruit or some veggies.

Just say no!

Step away from the coffee machine! Of course, there is nothing better than a piping hot cup of coffee on a Monday morning. But quite often, the things you enjoy the most are the things you do need to avoid. Start your day with water, green tea or natural coconut water.

Never skip a meal

Like breakfast, it is easy to forget to have lunch. Ensure you set aside some time to step out of the office. Take a walk and stretch your legs. When you walk into the local supermarket, think about what you are going to have. Yes, the fatty sausage rolls and chocolate bars may be convenient, but by spending five minutes making your lunch, you could feast on a low calorie, healthy meal. You can also save some pennies by compiling ingredients that you could use across the week.

Guilty pleasures

Office work can be extremely stressful, and a glass of wine or beer or a cigarette might sound like a dream come true come the end of the day. But think about the serious health effects! By heading home (exercising en route, of course), to a healthy meal and a nice long relaxing bath, I can assure you, you will feel a million times better. Remember there is nothing worse than suffering a hungover and a gravelly throat come morning!

Author Tiger Contributor Tiger Recruitment Team