Wellness Wednesdays: Stress Reduction Tips

Stress Reduction Tips

Sitting too much? Take breaks for wellness

Have you ever noticed a burst of positive energy after a workout? Physical activity sets off physiological and psychological mechanisms that can improve your mood. Exercise releases hormones that can leave you feeling calmer and happier. Activity can also offer the opportunity to release stress, meet new people and boost self-confidence.

 

Studies suggest that sitting for hours on end -- regardless of calorie intake and exercise -- is harmful. This may be because immobile muscles lose the ability to metabolize fats and sugar as efficiently as they should, which could promote high cholesterol and up diabetes risk.

 

Do you have a stiff neck and back pain from sitting down all day? For many people, spending 12 hours or more a day sitting down is a normal part of life. However, a new study suggests that spending more time sitting down not only causes back pain and tense muscles, but increases your risk of getting type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity, even if you workout everyday!

• Don’t despair – though most people can’t avoid sitting down at work or while studying, taking short exercise breaks or ‘microbreaks’ every half hour are a great way to reduce time spend sitting down and fit some activity in your day.
  Doing simple stretching exercises, like stretching your arms, neck, wrists and legs can help them not feel too stiff.
• Taking short walks around the office throughout the day, and participating in lunchtime walks, will help increase blood flow in your legs and arms and keep them from getting numb.
• Grab a colleague or friend to walk

You can do most of these simple exercises in two minutes or less, so you can squeeze them in during the day.

Remember, taking these small steps to reduce time sitting down goes a long way in improving your overall wellness.