The Call Centre Exercise Work-Out

Recent research has shown long periods of sitting at your desk may be a killer.

Here are seven tips to keep mobile whilst in the call centre…

According to Elin Ekblom-Bak and colleagues at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, “muscular inactivity” and lack of “whole body muscular movement” are strongly associated with obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

In fact, they lead to a higher risk of death overall, irrespective of whether someone takes moderate or vigorous exercise.

While many office workers exercise outside of work, by going to the gym, walking the dog or going for a run, researchers now say that that is not enough.  In addition to regular exercise, office workers need to keep moving while they work.

To help workers keep moving on the job and counter the health risks, GN Netcom has developed a range of simple exercises that employees can carry out in the office without disrupting their work.

1. Stretch It Out

Being hunched over at your computer all day is not good for your posture or overall health, and stretching is key to releasing any tension in the upper body to avoid discomfort, tightness and headaches.

Shoulder shrugs with stretches of the chest, arms and neck are great ways to combat fatigue and reduce soreness. And don’t let your phone become a pain in the neck by cradling your handset between your shoulder and your ear – use a headset.

2. Move Around

A conversation on the phone is a great chance for you to get those muscles moving. Stand up when on a call and stretch those leg muscles – the person on the other end will never know!

3. Talk! Don’t Just Click Send

Don’t send an email to someone who’s sitting a few metres away! It doesn’t take a lot to stand and walk over to their desk and pass on your news. Any movement through the day results in a re-energised body and improved circulation.

4. Go and Make a Cuppa

While you’re up, why not offer all your colleagues a cup of 3 o’ clock tea? Having a walk around the office will stretch those legs muscles and get the blood pumping around the body, while giving you a well-earned break from your desk.

Whilst you’re waiting for the kettle to boil, why not pick up the packet of sugar and get those biceps working too? If you’re kitted out with a headset there’s also no need to miss any important calls.

5. Head to the Stairs

If you want a quick five-minute exercise burst then head to the office stairs. March up and down, or use them for step-ups. You’ll feel refreshed when you sit back down and ready to take on whatever the rest of the day throws at you.

6. Exercise in an Empty Room

Use the roaming range of your wireless headset to sneak away for a few minutes; if you don’t fancy lunging or performing jumping jacks in front of your colleagues, go and find an empty meeting room.

Jump-start your brain with some simple exercises and relieve any muscle tension that has built up throughout the day.

7. Office Olympics

Why not get everyone together once a month for some team building and office exercise? Get everyone together and brainstorm some games that everyone will be happy with so everyone will get involved. If you make it a regular activity it will fast become part of your working life.

Author: Jo Robinson