Have some exercise for lunch
When it comes to fostering healthy habits and managing stress, two personal trainers tell ABI JACKSON why embracing lunch break fitness can be key
FROM millennials and tech moguls, to charity chiefs and now NHS staff, it seems no one’s immune to workplace stress. But just because being frazzled and overwhelmed has become ‘the norm’, doesn’t mean we can’t do anything about it.
Every situation is different and if workplace wellbeing is seriously off kilter, then it might be time for a good chat with your GP, line manager and HR department.
A lot of the time though, looking at what we’re doing to help manage stress in our own lives can make a world of difference – and little and often is key, which is why turning your lunch break into ‘active time’ can be transformative.
“Exercise is a great way to improve wellbeing, make you feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive. It’s also powerful medicine for many mental health challenges,” says Jack Mousley, co-founder and personal trainer at Onyx (onyxlondon.co.uk), who have teamed
up with Red Bull on their AWOL (Active When On Lunch) campaign. He acknowledges it can be “doubly difficult to take that step” when we’re already feeling depressed, anxious or stressed though, and adds: “Remember, it’s OK to start small and grow. When you feel like you’ve got the world on your shoulders and haven’t exercised for a long time, setting extravagant goals such as running the marathon or training every day will only leave you feeling disheartened if you fall short.” Instead, remove the pressure and start with that ‘little and often’ aim. By utilising your lunch break, you can avoid falling into the ‘I don’t have time’ trap, as it won’t be eating into family time. And don’t be fooled into thinking skipping breaks makes you a better worker – often the opposite is true and productivity dips if we don’t take decent breaks and prioritise our wellbeing. “Having an active lifestyle and a healthy mind can lead to a lot of benefits in the work environment. When you’re stressed in that meeting or trying to hit that deadline, you may find your muscles tense and discomfort elsewhere.
“Exercising can help combat this by relaxing the muscles and relieving tension in the body, as well as releasing endorphins into the brain,” adds Jack. “The mind and body are closely linked, so if you improve one, the other can feel better too.
“Exercise is an amazing natural antidepressant too, helping promote changes in the brain, to encourage feelings of wellbeing and calm.
“All this can increase confidence in the workplace. It can give you that feeling of self-belief and allow you to take control of your day.”
■ For more information about Red Bull’s AWOL campaign, plus lots of workout tips and videos, visit cartoons.redbull.com/gb-en/active-when-on-lunch