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Sitting at Your Desk Right Now? Try a Stretch Break
It doesn’t take much time, but it could have a range of benefits.
Whether you’re a writer, programmer, or someone else who spends their day at a desk, there are real benefits to taking just a few minutes to stretch.
Many of us spend hours at our desks, whether we’re working from home or at an office. Unfortunately, sitting too long can have negative consequences on your health, including increasing your risk of heart diseases, high blood pressure, and other conditions.
Physical activity is one of the most effective ways of countering those effects. Of course, not all of us have time for a 30-minute to hour-long workout or yoga practice.
Luckily, there’s evidence that you don’t need to set aside that much time for movement.
A study published in 2016 in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity found that even small amounts of physical activity spread throughout the day led to very real health benefits.
The researchers call these small bouts of activity “microbursts.” And they found that these microbursts have a range of positive effects, including:
- Boosts in energy
- Improved mood throughout the day
