Practicing Mindful Movement in the “New Normal”

I’ll admit it; once I sit down at my desk to begin my work day, I have a hard time getting back up from it. It’s not because I have mobility issues or a job that discourages me from taking breaks throughout the day – I just get “tunnel vision” once I’m in work mode, and that’s a hard habit to break. Before I know it, it’s the middle of the afternoon and I’m sore, haven’t eaten lunch, and feel mentally fatigued.

February is Heart Health Month, and we already know how much a nutritious diet and exercise can benefit our overall well-being. But making time for smaller mindful movement breaks throughout the day can help you stay focused and energized.

Embracing the “Fake Commute”

As much as many of us disliked the morning commute to work, shifting to remote work during the pandemic has brought more awareness to the importance of it. The commute from home to work and vice versa was a ritual that allowed the time and space to transition between work and home mindsets. Without that daily commute, the line between work and home becomes blurred for many.

Luckily, the solution isn’t to sit in slow-moving traffic. One new habit that’s been helping remote workers across the country is creating a fake commute – taking the 45 minutes or however long it would take to drive to work, and going for a walk, run, bike ride, or whatever you choose instead.

Create Your Own Lunch Break

Whether your former lunch breaks involved taking five steps to a break room or a trip to a nearby restaurant with colleagues, this is another aspect of the work day that has changed with remote work. I know I’m guilty of eating lunch at my desk multiple days a week, but re-envisioning the  lunch hour is another opportunity for mindful movement.

The first step to breaking out of lunchtime tunnel vision is making sure you eat lunch on time; it can become much more difficult to perform at your best when you’re hungry, and setting an alarm for the same time every day can give you the reminder you need to get up from your desk and eat. There can be an added bonus if you can take your meal outside to a patio, backyard, or park setting, but even if you make it from your home office to another room, it’ll still give you the chance to move and take a restorative break.

Improving Mobility Through Yoga

Regular yoga or movement practice can have restorative benefits for the mind and body, and one of the best things about yoga is that there isn’t just one way to practice it. It’s a common misconception that you can only practice yoga if you’ve got a mat, the right outfits and all of the accessories, but mindfulness and yoga can be customized into your own unique practice depending on your needs and schedule.

Whether you have a half hour before or after work to do some gentle stretching while bringing awareness to your body, or if it’s easier to fit in some light chair yoga throughout the day, this type of mindful movement can be a natural solution for keeping your mind and body alert.

No matter how you’re able to add mindful movement to your daily routine, creating new healthy habits can help you get this American Heart Month off to a great start!

Written by Becky Greiner