Leading an active lifestyle can help reduce stress from life, work, and relationships and the more active, the less likely to develop heart disease, with a quick work out regime – at work.
We conferred with expert and innovator in the field of personal training and fitness Tina de Lemps, president and founder of B.FIT, to get solid tips to help relieve stress while on the job.
According to de Lemps, more than 50 years of research has shown that people who are the most physically active are only half as likely to develop coronary artery disease and has provided ways to reduce the amount of stress.
1. Incline to be Fine. The stairs at work could be turned into an instant stair master.
“When you come to work, walk up the steps and then go back down one to five times, every time you use the steps,” said de Lemps. To build lean muscle mass, de Lemps added, “Climb two stairs at a time holding dumbbells.”
2. Skip Pedal to the Metal. “Park your car further away from your destination, every single time,” advised de Lemps. “If you take the bus or subway, get off at the stop before, or walk around the block once.”
3. Escalate to New Heights. “If in an elevator building, take the stairs,” instructed de Lemps. “Start with getting off just one floor below yours.”
4. Avoid the Desk-bound Blues. A sedentary lifestyle, noted de Lemps, makes for weak muscles and increases the chances of developing arthritis. “Stand up at your desk and march in place for one minute every hour,” advised de Lemps. “Stand up and sit down at your desk for one minute, five times per day.”
5. The Push and Dip Dance. To work out the tri-ceps, pecs, and shoulders muscles, de Lemps suggested a few dips and pushups. “Do 10 to 20 push-ups against the wall, three times per day,” suggested de Lemps. “Do five to 10 dips off your chair, three times per day.”
6. The Confidant Chair. Sitting on a chair for many hours tends to build a bond and for another quick lean muscle workout, de Lemps advised to take a moment to stand behind your chair. “Do a stationary lunge, ten times and then repeat with your other leg,” said de Lemps. “Do this three times per day.”
7. Every Step Counts. According to de Lemps, every mile is approximately 2,000 steps, and wearing a pedometer on two consecutive work days will motivate an increased activity plan. “Plan to increase your miles by 25 percent the first week, taking an extra 500 steps per day,” de Lemps said.
8. Take a dose of Vitamin L. “Vitamin L stands for love!” de Lemps said. Not necessarily romantic love, but de Lemps conferred that good friends, family, co-workers, and loving pets will help improve the quality of life. “It is important to have that part of your life balanced.”
“Exercise, but don’t abuse the joints,” de Lemps noted. “Worrying is a waste.”
