March 13, 2014  by

Take a Nap. Really!

In honor of National Nap Day (yes it is a real thing and it coincides with another favorite holiday of mine – Pi Day), I thought I would share some health and wellness ideas that have crossed my inbox over the past few days.

Napping

The inspiration for this post comes by way of the New Ways of Working Network. This source shares napping facts and figures in a nice infographic.  My favorite findings: a nap of 60 minutes improves alertness for up to 10 hours; napping increases physical health and can increase nighttime sleep by up to 20 minutes.

Take a Walk, Sure, But Don’t Call it a Break

Great Harvard Business Review post by Dan Pallotta about how walking and working can dramatically increase productivity. He argues that walking can both promote productivity and inspire more authentic, creative thoughts. An interesting read!

Don’t Just Sit There!  It could be Harmful Later in Life.

This article cites a study from the Journal of Physical Activity and Health that finds every additional hour adults over the age of 60 spend sitting increases their risk of being disabled by 50%.  Uh oh, Boomers, it’s time to retire….or give up your desk for a more mobile work environment.  Just kidding….sort of.

Sitting Time Calculator

Another find from the New Ways of Working Network: a fun little tool by juststand.org you can use to calculate your own risk for “sitting disease.” It also provides tips on how to reduce your sit time.  Vanderbilt University published a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology that says the average American sits 7.7 hours per day.  I tried the calculator and came up significantly higher than average – time for me to do some moving.

As you are thinking about your office space, technology, policies, culture, and behaviors, take these tips and ideas into consideration. No matter how big or small the change in the way you work, it can have a significant upside for your health!

 

Sit-stand workstations at M+R Strategic Services in Washington, DC

Sit-stand workstations at M+R Strategic Services in Washington, DC

Jodi Williams

Jodi Williams

Jodi Williams brings nearly 15 years of experience in workplace strategy, facility planning, and change management. She leads strategic planning efforts for public and private sector clients, and has been a featured speaker at industry events such as IFMA World Workplace, Greenbuild, and NeoConEast.
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