Movement is the Key!

 We all know people who you'd describe as "hyper," or "jittery." While that is usually associated with high stress, those who are constantly moving, even aimlessly, are doing their bodies a great service!
    The Washington Post syndicate recently published an article that cited a comprehensive study by the British Journal of Sports Medicine. It recommended that people with desk jobs aim initially for two hours of standing or light walking a day, building that number up to four hours a day!
     While that may seem unrealistic, they don't mean exercise, per se, just standing for five or more minutes at a time, or two minutes of moving, like up a couple flights of stairs, or a walk to the other side of your office building. Also, this total of two to four hours of light movement is presumed to be over a 16-hour day. Taking out the garbage, unloading dishes, walking the dog, going from the car to your office  - this all counts towards your four hours!
     Recommendations were not to sit for more than half and hour at a time, even if you put a timer by your desk to remind you. Obviously, take the stairs over the elevator whenever possible, park your car in the furthest part of the parking lot, or walk to a nearby lunch spot. Sometimes, just getting up from the computer and walking around or grabbing a cup of water clears your head, too.
     The key hear is blood circulation, and standing  to improve your posture, if you're slumped over a desk all day long. The experts in the study certainly recommend a daily bout of exercise (30-minutes to one hour) to get the heart rate up, but don't discount these small doses of "good medicine" for you.
     Maybe those people who never seem to sit still have the right idea!