Be more active in the office environment

If you work a 9-5 office based job, this means you are sitting sedentary for 8 hours a day, which can not only affect your physical health but your mental health too. Long term it can result in severe health problems including high blood pressure and even heart disease.  With the ‘On your feet Britain’ movement starting on Friday 26^th April, the team here at DeVono are making preparations to get started early.

Top Tips to keep fit in the office

1. Do not skip breakfast – they say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and here’s why – your metabolism slows down when you sleep, so eating soon after you wake up will help to boost this. If you’re in a rush, always make sure you have a snack or an instant porridge in your bag to eat at your desk. DeVono always makes sure cupboards here are full of breakfast goodies for the team to help fuel their day.
2. Banish the lift and take the stairs – it is naturally easier to take the lift instead of the stairs, especially in the morning, but we recommend taking the stairs at least a few days a week, or depending on what floor you work on, compromising by walking just half way up before catching a lift the rest of the way.
3. Go for a walk on your lunch break – the fresh air will clear your mind and help alleviate any stress built up that morning, as well as providing your body some physical exercise.
4. Move around the office – when your concentration stalls from sitting still for too long, carry out some stretching exercises in the office and take a break away from your PC every half hour. Your eyesight will benefit from this too!  Instead of phoning a colleague, get up and walk over to their desk.  Face to face conversations and human interaction also promote better well being and ensure improved communication.
5. Drink lots of water – numerous studies have shown that drinking 8 glasses of water throughout the day can aid concentration, help to keep your skin hydrated and support weight loss – water fills you up, majority of the time when you think you’re hungry, you are actually thirsty so give this a go.  #funfact #hydrate
6. Walk around while you’re on the phone – supply your staff with headsets if they do not have work mobiles to promote physical movement and mental ‘flow’. The added advantage of moving the ‘loud talkers’ away at times provides a little rest bite for those other staff who sit close to this distraction!

You do not even need to leave your desk to combat inactivity. A personal trainer at Nuffield Health and fitness has listed five exercises you can do at your desk:  https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/article/5-simple-exercises-you-can-do-at-your-desk

Including:

• Squats
• Chest, Lower back and hamstring stretches
• Kneeling hip and thigh stretch

Below are 3 serviced offices which each incorporate health and fitness into their workspaces and by extension, businesses who base themselves here…

Heddon Street, Regent Street, London, W1B

Lyric Square, Hammersmith, London, W6

This property has its own on-site gym, perfect for getting that workout in either before, after work or during lunch hours as there are on-site showers too.  Airflow and fitness time trial runs in the stairwell encourage constant daily use even with the impressive 13 floors to cover! The weekly food market in Lyric Square also delivers a gastronomic experience for all self-proclaimed foodies with delights from many continents covered!

Mortimer Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1

This property has a fully equipped gym where you are also able to book personal training sessions.  As a member you’ll find yourself looked after with health juices and specially whipped-up perfectly balanced meals and snacks whether taken in the onsite restaurant or from the comfort of the top floor luxurious lounge bar. Of course, as you would expect, access to classes with a programme of yoga, HIIT classes, Pilates and TRX is included for office residents.

Take part in our national day when workers across Britain unite together and participate in a variety of fun and simple activities to #SitLess and #MoveMore at work on Friday 26th April 2019.