Get Moving!

GET MOVING! 

As dispatchers, we have what is considered to be a 'sedentary' job. 

Due to the demands of our job and needing to be in front of the computer screen for most of our shift, dispatchers can end up sitting for 12+ hours a day.

The technical definition of 'sedentary' is less than 5,000 steps a day.

Recent studies have found that sedentary people (who STILL exercised) WERE AT JUST AS HIGH RISK for cancer, diabetes, and heart disease as those who DID NOT exercise regularly...

The key to eliminating these negative health consequences? Moving regularly and consistently throughout the day!

There's no way around it, sitting for hours on end is problematic, and even an hour a day at the gym may not be enough to counteract that!

Making small changes to increase your activity throughout the day is CRUCIAL to your overall health. Here's just a few small changes to start with...

• Set an alarm or reminder to get up and move around during your shift, or stand up while at your desk instead of sitting. Try for 3-5 minutes for every 30 minutes sitting. Also consider stretching during that time standing up.
• While not on the phone or manning a police or fire radio, try pacing around or go on a small walk while on your break.
• If possible, park further away in the parking lot. By parking further away and walking, you will increase circulation throughout your whole body and brain. This will of course burn calories but also increases blood circulation to your extremities!
• Take the stairs whenever possible. Taking the stairs will increase your heart rate and by raising your heart rate, climbing stairs helps protect against high blood pressure, weight gain, and clogged arteries. This lowers the risk of developing chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, dementia and even some cancers.

Small changes can make a BIG difference. Let's all try to get moving more!