Work. Move. Work again
W ay back, most parents’ problem was to make sure children sit still and stay put. Nowadays, parents are having a hard time to get kids to move. I’ll go into that in a separate article.
The reason I mentioned this is because for most adults now, we’re ingrained with the notion that you have to be still so that you can function at work. That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.
Researchers from the University of Colorado decided to test different methods of increasing movement among workers. Heart rates, stress hormone levels, energy levels, happiness and appetite were quantified. Subjects were also required to complete computer games designed to test their ability to concentrate and make decisions.
Results of the study showed that workers felt more energetic throughout the day if they were active, and it didn’t matter if it was a long walk or short walks distributed throughout the day. When workers rose often, they reported greater happiness, less fatigue and considerably less craving for food than days when they weren’t made to rise. Feeling of vigor also increased throughout the day, while they often had plateaued by early afternoon after walking only once in the morning. There were also no differences on the cognitive tests, whether they sat or got up and moved. Stress hormones also remained steady.
HOW DO WE APPLY THIS?
1We must realize frequent movement breaks is essential for overall well-being. 2The notion that fidgeting at work means we’re not concentrating is dated. Based on this study, concentration levels are not affected by movement breaks. In other studies, concentration is increased after movement breaks. 3A happier workforce is a productive workforce. I want my people to be productive. If exercise is a means to get them happier, then implementing movement breaks at no cost for the company should be beneficial.