My job keeps me at my desk for long hours—maybe yours does too. And let’s be honest, stepping away isn’t always easy! When you’re deep in work, it’s tempting to think, Just a little longer or I’ll take a break after this task. But before you know it, hours have passed, your body is stiff, your mind is drained, and your shoulders are up by your ears.
That’s why movement breaks are so important. A quick stretch, a walk around the room, or even rolling your shoulders and taking a few deep breaths can refresh your mind, ease tension, and help you return feeling more focused and energized.
Since I tend to get lost in my work, I set my fitness tracker to remind me to move every hour. It’s not always perfect—especially when meetings stretch past 90 minutes—but I do my best to move when I can, without being too hard on myself. Things don’t always go exactly to plan, but as long as I’m moving in the right direction, I know I’m doing something good for my body.
You don’t have to power through nonstop! Even a few minutes can shake off stiffness, clear your head, and—yes—bring those shoulders back down where they belong!