How to Turn Your Desk into a Wellness Zone

Hi friend!

Stuck inside? This week I took an indoor walk with listener Jennifer Lundquist, who has turned her office into a mini workout studio, complete with dumbbells, resistance bands, an exercise ball, yoga mat, sandbag and an under-desk bike!

Jennifer is a professor and senior associate dean at University of Massachusetts Amherst and has been incorporating movement breaks into her life (and her classes) for the past 13 years, ever since an ankle injury prompted her to commit to regular physical therapy exercises. She loved how she felt taking these breaks, so she kept it up all these years. She even makes her students get up and jog around the perimeter of the classroom once an hour to keep them focused — which some love, but many laugh at.

Here are 3 quick tips from our conversation to help make your movement breaks a little more fun AND doable:

1. Dress to MOVE.

If you’re wearing clothes that make it easy to get up and walk, dance, do jumping jacks… you’re more likely to do it. So, even if you have a job that requires you to dress more formally, prioritize comfort whenever you can. Your body will thank you.

2. Turn your movement breaks into mini workouts.

To keep things interesting, why not set your timer and do some pushups and jumping jacks for 5 minutes? Or keep a set of weights next to your desk for some mini lifting sessions. Jennifer recommends the FitOn app (this is not an endorsement; I’ve not personally tried it). And there are lots of apps out there.

3. Don’t be embarrassed to take movement breaks publicly!

Whether you’re in the office or working from a cafe or waiting for a flight, push past feeling awkward and get up and move… even if you get some weird looks. This practice can be contagious — the more we make moving the norm, the more other people will do it too! Maybe even the teenagers in your life. ??

Listen to the full episode on 苹果 Podcasts here: https://n.pr/4bfe0hA

Coming next, we’re investigating how our screens impact our BREATH.?

Meanwhile, forward this newsletter to someone in your life who could use these tips… and tell them to sign up for the Body Electric Challenge to get moving more, scrolling less.

Wishing you a movement-filled week,

x Manoush

Editor's Note: This edition of the Body Electric newsletter was originally published in June 2024 and is being reposted for your enjoyment. To stay updated with the latest insights from NPR's Body Electric, sign up for the newsletter here: https://n.pr/4cSRn2D