LOOK AFTER YOURSELF AT WORK - Friday 14th Maty 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.

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.


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. 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. Once you learn it, it only takes 4 minutes. It's available online.

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 search for Chris Bliss amazing juggling finale.

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
No track again. Flew down to Sydney, met up with a cousin I hadn't seen for 40 years and drove back from Sydney to Canberra.

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

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