Here’s a guest blog that will help you learn to get make that 9-5 office job healthier for your body!

Sitting at your desk all day long can not only take a mental toll, but the damage it does on your body is rather unfortunate. If there is one thing I have learned from my kids and their experience at their outdoor education school, it’s is that sitting all day at a desk is probably not helping you, physically or mentally.

The rate at which your body uses energy drops tremendously when exposed to long periods ofsitting, and the electrical activity in your legs comes to a rapid cessation. People who sit at their desksall day long are at greater risk for diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and many other healthcomplications. However, just because you have to sit at a desk all day long doesn’t mean that you haveto be unhealthy.
There are ways to stay healthy and fit at work. Here are a couple ways:
1. Take frequent water breaks. Getting up to go get water is one of the greatest ways you can break up your day and your time sitting at your desk. Aim to stand up every 30 minutes to go refill your cup and that will help to keep you hydrated. While you’re getting some water, dosome stretches to get your blood flowing and your muscles loose.

2. Take the stairs. If there is an elevator in your office, take the stairs. Or, if your office is on the25th floor or something crazy like that, then take the elevator up to the 15th floor and take thestairs the rest of the way. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator will burn calories and primeyour body to burn more calories throughout the day.

3. Walk to a desk instead of email. Instead of sending an email to a colleague, take the walk overto their desk instead. You will get valuable exercise, as well as improve relations with yourcoworker by actually communicating face-to-face.

4. Walk on your lunch break. Try eating your lunch at your desk while you work, then take a walkor job on your lunch break. Getting outside will not only supply your body with some essentialVitamin D, burn calories and help fight weight gain, but it will also do wonders in lifting yourmood. Grab a coworker to make it even more fun, and you won’t even notice that the time isflying by and you’re exercising!

5. Exercise while you work. It may seem impossible to exercise while you work, but it is rathersimple. Bring some hand-held weights and do some bicep curls while you’re on the phone, or doleg lifts as you type. Another great exercise to do at your desk is to do pushups on your desk, oryou can hold yourself in the squat position while you read emails. You may think you look silly,but you’ll be doing your heart a favor!

Author  Bio: Cameron enjoys blogging about fitness, education (primarily online public universities) and the outdoors.