Take a break: Incorporating regular movement into your work day will benefit both your body and mind

How long have you been sitting at your desk without getting up? 30 mins? An hour? ALL DAY? [Hello, grant application writers!]

The negative impacts of sedentary desk-based work on physical and mental health are becoming increasingly clear, as Associate Professor Taryn Jones explained during our very first staff wellbeing week back in 2016.

And with Zoom replacing face-to-face meetings during the COVID pandemic, many of us are more desk-bound than ever.

So, as part of Staff Wellbeing Month, the experts in MQ Health’s Physiotherapy clinic have developed a series of fun and easy routines to help get you moving.  Alongside other great physical activities on the Wellbeing Month program (including lunchtime walks and free group fitness classes at the gym), these routines are a convenient way to get more exercise into your day.

“We’ve designed these to be a quick 10-15-minute, full body and mind boost,” explains Physiotherapy and Orthopaedics Practice Manager Linda Tyas-Riddle.

“They’ll lift your heart rate AND your spirits, and allow you to increase your daily incidental exercise, while helping to prevent common desk-bound ailments such as neck or back pain.”

Follow along with MQ Health Physiotherapist Bridget Dean as she takes you through 10 moves you can do at your desk every day:

Try out Bridget’s other routines:
– Line dancing
– 80’s workout
– Bananas in pyjamas

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Register for more great activities in Staff Wellbeing Month or visit the Medibank Live Better portal for 13 other ways to be more active during your work day.