Laugh a Lot Yeah, we know -- you're too stressed out to chuckle. But data from Vanderbilt University Medical Center says that if you can eek out a laugh for 10 to 15 minutes a day, you'll burn up to 40 calories. A real hoot causes your heart rate to rise by 10 to 20 percent, and as it does, your metabolism also increases, which means you'll continue to burn cals once you stop laughing too. No joke!
Some giggle-worthy ideas? Gina Barreca, humorist and author of "They Used to Call Me Snow White, But I Drifted: Women's Strategic Use of Humor" suggests keeping a go-to list of the most ridiculous things your friends and family have said to you, to brighten your mood. She also recommends hitting YouTube to watch interviews and stand-up routines of funny ladies like Nora Ephron, Joan Rivers, and Chelsea Handler. Visual cues always insight a good snicker, as well. Try googling hilarious animal pictures, like dogs in Halloween costumes, or stash some hilarious shots of your friends looking their goofiest.
I always watch at least one comedy show a day just to brighten my mood but now that I learned that laughing really does burn calories I probably will watch more !
I have been sitting a lot at the computer this year, because I could not do much exercise due to a bum foot. Recently, I can now walk, but as stated here, breaks to do various things are important. My foot seems slightly swollen, when all I do is sit at the computer. Not to mention being in a bad position which strains the whole body. And, I do take that coffee break, but maybe need to stretch more while sitting here. I heard elevating the leg into a different position may help.
I LOVE working out & already heed most of the tips included in this article. I LOVE the tips about laughing & keeping funny pictures or a list of funny things friends have said to keep the smiles and chuckles coming! I think that replacing the office chair with an exercise / yoga ball is a little unrealistic for most offices (Unless you are in CA & outside thinking is accepted) - I still LOVE the idea! MOST importantly - the article stresses not only the importance of keeping the body hydrated, but notes other sources of hydration other than water alone and also gives some sort of method for verification of when the body has reached the correct level of hydration. GREAT ARTICLE & TONS OF FUN!
Most of these are things I do already, but it was still fun to read--especially the estimates of how many calories I'm burning when I fidget or dance in my chair. ;-)