There are lots of benefits to regular activity – and all it takes is 10 minutes, 3 times a day. If you get your minutes in on your way to work or even while you’re there, you can relax for the rest of the day. You’ll also have more energy and a more positive outlook – and you’ll be more productive, too.

To be more active at work, consider some of these suggestions:

Active Transport

• Get off the bus or park your car a few blocks away and walk the extra distance.
• Try to ride your bike to work a few times a week.
• If you travel for work, book a hotel with a fitness facility and pool.

• Take the stairs – it’s amazing how much activity they add to your day.
• Walk over to a co-worker’s desk to speak to them in person versus e-mailing or phoning them.
• Walk to the coffee shop on your break and chat with a colleague along the way.
• Combine business with pleasure and conduct meetings on the go.
• At lunch, be active with your colleagues while you ride stationary bikes or go for a power walk or jog.
• Sit on an exercise ball at your desk or computer.
• Stretch and move around at least once an hour. Click here for a great chair stretching program.
• As a team, join community challenges like Run for the Cure, a corporate challenge and/or Bike to Work Week.
• If you like sports, play in a recreation league at lunch.
  

• Improved productivity and morale
• Improved job satisfaction and team spirit
• Reduced stress and back injuries
• Reduced absenteeism and turnover
• Reduced workplace injuries
• Reduced workers’ compensation claims and costs
  

Active living at work — Public Health Agency of Canada

Bike to Work Week Society

Stairway to Health

Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute

Alberta Centre for Active Living: Workplace Physical Activity Framework

Canadian Health Network: Workplace Health

Lifestyle Information Network

Healthy U @ Work

The Canadian Council for Health and Active Living at Work