Take a Real Break from Work

Does your break look like this?

I sure hope not, and pizza isn’t the culprit. It's that these people are doing the same thing they do while working—sitting down. Biomechanically, it's not a break and that's what your body really needs. To take a break from a desk job, your have to move around. Why not consider taking a walk instead?

Whether your office is in a bustling city, or tucked away in a suburban industrial park, chances are there's a circuit that can easily be completed in 15 minutes. You are also recruit a walk buddy to help keep you committed. Walking is not only great for your body, but it's also a terrific break for your mind. Getting outside, breathing fresh air doesn’t hurt either. Studies show you don’t need a face pace or a 30-minute workout to gain benefits from walking. Apps like MapMyWalk, PlotARoute or G-Map Pedometer can help you plot out several different routes to keep things interesting. Circular loops, rather than straight-line trajectories, out and back, encourage completion.

You could even start a walk program in your company partnering with an organization like Walk Your City, who's mission it is to boost your community’s walkability. You can even have them make informational street signs to complement traditional way finding that can get everyone moving. Does your area contain any historic or cultural landmarks? Neighborhood associations are tremendous resources to uncover hidden gems right down the block.

Get your company to sponsor a route through an organization like Feet First who features neighborhood Walking Ambassadors. They have a terrific Street Stories project that uses storytelling, technology, and neighborhood culture to foster a healthy lifestyle in the next generation. You can get your kids involved. Visit Prevent.org for information on how to establish a community-based walking group program to increase physical activity. Their site includes farmer's markets outings, chair aerobics classes, plant a garden, and even tai chi. Consider Target's Nice Ride bike sharing kiosk program in started in downtown Minneapolis, that is now expanding to other cities. The potential is really only limited to your imagination.

@JillGambaro