LOOK AFTER YOURSELF AT WORK - Thursday 22nd April 2010

If you think you can spend 8 hours a day sitting down without moving you've got another think coming. Sooner or later something's going to give, usually your mind, or your back, neck and shoulders.

You've just got to give yourself a break, in fact a number of breaks for 10 minutes to freshen up. Call it a quick defrag.

Here's a few activities to pick from.

STRETCH
Spend ten minutes doing a few stretches, for your neck, shoulders and back. You can get the full list of stretching exercises from this link

http://www.globalbackcare.com/back-pain/index.html

RELAX
It's as simple as putting on the headphones and playing a relaxation MP3. It's an essential feature of a work fit program designed to calm you down. You can purchase my relaxation MP3 on this link:

http://www.fitandhealthyonline.com/mp3_files/index.htm

WALK AROUND THE BLOCK
Limber up! One of the best things you can do for your body is go for a quick walk around the block once a day. Endorphins will be released, more oxygen will be pumped up into your head, you’ll blow off a bit of ’steam’; you'll feel better.

YOGA AND TAI CHI
Any organisation that's up to speed these days will have either a yoga program or a tai chi program. Manage your time so you can go a couple of times a week.

Or, search on the internet for a copy of Yolanda Pettinato's Simply Yoga program on this link:

http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/2477

A few poses each day will loosen up your mind and the rest of your body. The Yoga CD may be available from your local bookstore. That's where I picked up my copy.

Or get a copy of Keith Jeffrey's Easy Tai Chi program on this link:

http://www.easytaichi.com/

Once you learn it, it only takes 4 minutes.

JUGGLE
Get yourself a set of juggling balls.

One of the absolute best ways to take your mind off your work is to do some juggling. You can't think about work and juggle at the same time.

Want to see how it's done. Go to YouTube and watch Chris Bliss's amazing juggling finale.:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBsYBJtj9-U

So there you have it.

Look after yourself in the workplace. You'll feel better. Your back, neck and shoulders will feel better. You’ll be more productive. You’ll last the distance. You’ll save money and time loitering around surgeries and pharmacies.

On the track
A big workout. Level 8 all the way for 40 minutes. 814 steps and 621 calories.

In the meantime stay tuned, highly tuned and look after yourself at work.

John Miller
http://www.millerhealth.com.au/
http://www.fitandhealthyonline.com/
http://www.globalbackcare.com/