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Americans work hard and many spend the majority of their waking hours behind a desk. What you may not realize is the countless hours spent at your desk can make you vulnerable to health risks associated with inactive lifestyles. By increasing your physical activity and opting for a healthier lifestyle, you can help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and closely related conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and obesity.
It is important to consult with your healthcare provider before starting a new exercise program or increasing your level of activity. However, there are simple things you can do at work that can help you maintain a healthier lifestyle throughout the day and better manage your type 2 diabetes:
- Take small, frequent exercise breaks throughout the day. Even a quick walk around the block can help you feel more alert and productive.
- Bring a healthy lunch and snacks to eat throughout the day. This will help you stick to healthy food options and be less tempted by unhealthy ones.
- Try to reduce stress as much as possible. Grab lunch with a coworker or take deep, calming breaths when you feel overwhelmed.
- Reduce your caffeine intake and stay hydrated. Keep a bottle of water at your desk to drink throughout the day.
Exercise at work:
Incorporating simple exercises at work, such as the one below, can help combat muscle aches and fatigue:
Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor and knees close together. Place your hands either by your sides or on the chair's arm rests, and lean back slightly. With bent knees, lift them towards the ceiling for 30 repetitions without resting.
This particular exercise will help strengthen your abdominal muscles and loosen your hamstrings.
While these suggestions may help you take the first few steps towards having a healthy lifestyle at work, being surrounded by those who share similar attitudes will help motivate you to stick with your plan. Speak with your employer about the benefits of creating a healthier work environment — he or she might be interested to know that a healthy work environment may increase productivity and reduce absenteeism, turnover rates and healthcare costs.
Enroll in The Heart of Diabetes program
Monitoring your numbers on a regular basis will help you stay in the know. Tools to help make this easier to get one step closer to achieving your treatment goals and better managing your type 2 diabetes are available. Enroll in The Heart of Diabetes program today. 
