by Livvy Partington, Sports Massage Therapist.
How’s the return to work treating your movement levels and daily step count?
As many of us settle back into office routines, one quiet change often goes unnoticed. We move far less. For those in desk based roles, the shift back to meetings, screens and seated days can cause step counts to fall dramatically. For people working from home, the difference can be just as stark. In some cases, it can mean up to 5,000 fewer steps a day without even realising it.
Why is this a problem?
In a British study published in 1953, researchers examined two groups of workers: London bus drivers and bus conductors. The findings were striking. Bus drivers, who spent long hours sitting, were nearly twice as likely to die from heart disease as the conductors, who spent their days moving up and down the stairs of double decker buses.
Fast forward more than 60 years and, unfortunately, not much has changed. We are still sitting. Often for hours at a time. Largely oblivious to the risks.
Lack of physical activity is now one of the top four leading causes of preventable death worldwide, ahead of high cholesterol, alcohol and drug misuse, according to the World Health Organisation.
We are designed to move. Regularly. Ideally every hour. Not just during a 30 minute HIIT class squeezed into a busy morning.
Introducing ‘Meetings on the Move’
Here’s why they are worth a try.
1. Less sitting means happier muscles and a happier stomach
Too much time in a chair can lead to tight hips, hunched shoulders and lower back pain. A short walk helps loosen stiff joints, wake up underused muscles, support blood sugar balance and reduce the urge to snack mindlessly between meals.
2. Improved productivity and mental wellbeing
A 2015 University of Birmingham study compared the mood and stress levels of workers who took a lunchtime walk with those who remained sedentary. On afternoons following a walk, participants reported feeling less stressed, more enthusiastic and better able to cope than on days they stayed seated.
3. A boost to creative thinking
A Stanford University study found that people walking produced up to twice as many creative ideas as those sitting down. The same research also showed that walking outdoors amplified this effect even further compared to indoor treadmill walking.
Next time you have a meeting, consider taking it outside. Your body and your brain will thank you for it.
If you want to bring meetings on the move into your workplace, start small. One walk. One conversation. One healthier habit at a time.
How to start a walking meeting
- Keep it to two people where possible
- Choose a familiar, flat route
- Walk side by side, not face to face
- Keep notes to voice memos or jot down actions at the end
Recommended reading: If you want to bring meetings on the move to your workplace I’d highly recommend trundl – the founder inspired me to write this post!
Livvy Partington is a Sports Massage Therapist at Harris and Ross physiotherapy – you can find out more about them here.
