It was going to be a long day. I had to sit for hours. In fact, it was going to be several long days of sitting to finish a project. I don’t like to sit for long periods of time. I fidget. I squirm. My butt sticks to the chair. I read the same sentence 16 times, and still cannot tell you what it says. My brain doesn’t function when it’s tired. I whine. When I can no longer think clearly, that’s a sign that my brain is fatigued. When the brain tires, the body follows.
Moving around helps, so I came up with a way to stay agile, sharp, and focused. It’s my 30 second, 30 minute trick. I set my iPhone for 30 minute intervals. Every 30 minutes I move for 30 seconds, which is no time at all. It’s a small investment with big rewards. Sometimes I leave my chair, but not always. Here are some of the things I do:
Head rotation from side to side, then ear to shoulder.
Open and close my mouth as wide as I can.
Hug myself, then arch my back.
Rock from side to side on my butt.
Pick up each leg (one at a time) and make circles with my ankle.
Wiggle all my fingers while standing on one leg for 20 seconds. Change legs.
Stand up and sit down 10 times, without touching the chair.
Write the alphabet, in the air, using my face and eyes.
Look out the window and focus on things close to you, and far away.
Walk around for 30 seconds.
Any combination of these easy peasy movements will work. Do some or all of them. Make up some of your own. The point of this is to get moving, keep your blood flowing, and feed your brain’s cognitive ability to focus on the task at hand. Sometimes all we need is a break from what we are doing. Our brain likes novelty, and if we change up the movements, the brain will reward us by allowing more concentration and productivity with less effort. And, getting out of that chair without feeling stiff and slow will improve your mood. It’s a win-win.
That’s Aging Intelligently.