Physical Wellbeing

A big workout once a week is just as good as daily exercise!

December 24, 2022
The Wellness Tribe Team
One big workout once a week is just as good as daily exercise!

As a physiotherapist, I often hear from my patients that they do not have time to exercise every day, whether during corporate wellness sessions or during individual sessions. With busy schedules and a never-ending to-do list, it can be tough to fit in a daily workout. But here's the good news: you don't have to exercise every day to be healthy! In fact, one big workout every week is just as effective as exercising daily.

Testing Your Limits

Now, I know what you're thinking. How can one intense workout per week be as effective as daily exercise? The key is pushing yourself to your physical limits during that workout. When you challenge your body with a high-intensity workout, you are giving your muscles and the cardiovascular system a much-needed workout. 

This kind of intense exercise has a greater impact on the body than moderate exercise, so even though you're only working out once a week, you're still getting a good workout.

The Connection Between Exercise and Mental Health

The Connection Between Exercise and Mental Health
Photo by Victor Freitas on Unsplash

One big workout per week has numerous benefits. Exercise that is intense and regular can improve your mental health. Exercise releases endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that promote feelings of happiness and emotional well-being. You can boost your mood and reduce stress by engaging in a challenging workout once a week.

Another benefit of one big workout per week is that it can help you avoid burnout and injury. Overdoing it with daily exercise can lead to fatigue and a higher risk of injury. By allowing your body to rest and recover in between workouts, you can prevent burnout and keep your workouts safe and effective.

Now, I want to be clear that the one big workout-per-week approach isn't for everyone. If you have specific fitness goals, such as losing weight or training for a marathon, you may need to incorporate daily exercise into your routine.

A Few Precautions

One Big Workout a Week: The Surprising Health Benefits According to a Physiotherapist
Photo by Victor Freitas on Unsplash

Additionally, if you are new to exercise or have chronic health conditions, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new fitness routine.

But for the majority of people, one big workout per week is a great way to maintain a healthy lifestyle. So next time you're feeling overwhelmed and don't think you have time for daily exercise, remember that one big workout per week is just as effective. And who knows, you might even find that you enjoy it more than daily exercise! 

"Exercise is a celebration of what the body can do, not a punishment for what you ate." — Kevin NG. 

So grab your sneakers and get moving – your body (and mind) will thank you.

Closing Thoughts

Overall, the key takeaway is that consistency and effort are more important than the frequency of workouts. As long as individuals are able to regularly engage in physical activity that challenges their bodies and promotes overall wellness, they can experience the numerous benefits of exercise regardless of how often they do it.

Corporate Wellness

Desk Duty: Why Sitting Can be as Deadly as Smoking

October 28, 2022
Dr. Nikhil Latey
Desk Duty: Why Sitting Can be as Deadly as Smoking

Motion is lotion, isn’t it? Sitting isn't part of our design. You may not think of your office chair or the couch you enjoy binge-watching on when you think of something that might pose a health risk. When you sit for long periods of time, the body deteriorates, according to Dr Joan Vernikos, author of Sitting Kills, Moving Heals.

How Sedentary Are We?

Around three million avoidable deaths are caused by physical inactivity each year (6% of all fatalities). Among noncommunicable illnesses, it is the fourth leading cause of death.

The following studies demonstrate how sedentary we are:

  • According to PubMed Central, 52.1% of participants in the study were not physically active. Studies conducted in India and abroad have reported similar findings. 
  • It was reported that 56.8% of participants in a study conducted in Punjab, India, were not sufficiently active as recommended by the WHO. 
  • According to data from the Indian Council of Medical Research study, Chandigarh has a 66.8% prevalence of physical inactivity.
  • According to a study, 49.7% of adults in southern India were physically inactive.

Sitting and Exercising

Sitting Is the New Smoking
Photo by Gabin Vallet on Unsplash

Marathon sitting sessions cannot be negated by exercise. Lifestyle fitness, whether it is exercise in the gym, running, yoga, pilates, or another form of exercise, will not make you healthier if you sit for long periods of time. Instead, you are more likely to live a happy healthy life if you sit less during the day.

Sitting for Long Periods of Time.

Sitting for long periods of time can actually alter your metabolism. Sitting for just 30 minutes slows down metabolism by 90%. The large leg and gluteal muscles can weaken and waste when sat for long periods of time. 

With weak glutes, the legs are less stable and have less power. If you sit consistently with poor posture, it can also result in back problems. Even your sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back to your toes, may be irritated by the back, hip, and buttock muscles together.

When you spend a lot of time hunched over a keyboard, your neck and shoulders can become stiff and painful. As you do this for hours and hours, you reduce your flexibility and movement, straining your neck and upper back muscles.

While scrolling through social media on their phones, people sit in compromised postures that can be detrimental to their rotator cuffs, wrists, and forearms.

Heart Health and Sitting

Sitting Is the New Smoking
Photo by Jon Flobrant on Unsplash

Heart disease is more likely to develop if you sit for a long time each day. Diabetes type 2 and obesity, two major risk factors for heart disease, can be caused by sitting, which can lead to insulin resistance. In addition, during a heart attack, the blood flow slows down, which causes the blood vessels to accumulate fatty acids.

Heart disease results from disruption of vascular function. According to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, there is an independent relationship between prolonged sitting time and deleterious health outcomes, regardless of physical activity. 

You still have a risk of heart disease and death even if you clock in an hour of intense physical activity a day. This is especially true for those who work continuously without taking a break; therefore, companies are focusing more on employee wellness programs to assist them to build healthy working habits. 

"Sitting is the thief of health." - Steve Jobs

Depression and Anxiety

We don't understand the relationships between sitting and mental health as well as we do the ties between sitting and physical health, but we do know that those who sit more are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression.

This might be due to the fact that those who spend a lot of time sitting lose out on the benefits of workout and fitness. If this is the case, getting up and moving may be beneficial.

Living a Movement-Based Lifestyle

Here are a few ways you can incorporate physical activity into your daily routine:

Make sure you take frequent breaks. After 30 minutes of continuous sitting, get up and move around

  • When possible, take the stairs instead of the elevator
  • Stop texting your colleagues and walk over to them instead
  • If you can, enjoy a short walk during your lunch break
  • Consider switching to standing and sitting-friendly height-adjustable desks. 

 You will have increased energy levels and endurance once you become physically active, and your muscles and bones will remain strong when you are physically active.

Final Words

It appears that stretching your muscles breaks up long periods of sitting, so strive to incorporate more exercise into your day. Every once in a while set a timer to remind yourself to get up and walk. Stand up while you're taking a call. You may want to consider an adjustable standing desk if you have a PC. Sit on a stability ball rather than an armchair while watching TV to keep yourself upright. Exercises to relieve joint pain are also recommended.

Workplace Adaptability

Pivot Like a Pro: How High is Your Business's AQ?

January 5, 2024
Mohit Sahni
Pivot Like a Pro: How High is Your Business's AQ?

In today’s fast-paced world, adaptability isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a survival trait. The concept of an "Adaptability Quotient" (AQ) has gained traction, representing an organization's ability to adjust to changing environments. Unlike the fixed metrics of IQ or EQ, AQ is fluid, evolving with your business. It's about how quickly and effectively your company can pivot in response to new challenges, technologies, and market dynamics.

Forbes highlights that companies with high AQ are more likely to thrive in today’s volatile market. They’re the ones who see change not as a hurdle, but as an opportunity.

Assessing Your Company's AQ

So, how do you measure something as dynamic as adaptability? It starts with a self-assessment. Evaluate how your organization has handled past changes. Were transitions smooth, or did they meet resistance? Did your team demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity?

A Harvard Business Review study suggests considering factors like decision-making speed, innovation frequency, and the ability to abandon old norms. These are the hallmarks of an adaptable enterprise.

Cultivating a Culture of Adaptability

Adaptability starts with culture. It’s about fostering a mindset where change is expected and embraced. This requires leadership to lead by example, encouraging experimentation and learning from failures.

Google’s Project Aristotle revealed that psychological safety plays a critical role in team effectiveness. In an adaptable organization, employees feel safe to voice their opinions, take calculated risks, and contribute new ideas without fear of failure or ridicule.

Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Adaptability

In the realm of adaptability, technology is your ally. The right tech stack can streamline processes, provide valuable data insights, and enable swift responses to market changes. A report by Deloitte emphasizes the importance of digital transformation in increasing AQ.

However, it's not just about having technology; it's about how it's used. Training and upskilling employees to leverage these tools effectively is crucial.

The Engine of Adaptability

Finally, adaptability is fueled by continuous learning. An organization with a high AQ is always learning - from market trends, from competitors, from its own successes and failures.

Investing in employee education and staying abreast of industry developments are key. As per a LinkedIn Learning report, companies that champion learning are more agile and better equipped to adapt to unforeseen challenges.

Embracing Diversity and Inclusion for Greater Adaptability

A diverse and inclusive workforce is a cornerstone of adaptability. Diversity brings a plethora of perspectives, ideas, and problem-solving approaches. An inclusive environment ensures that these diverse voices are heard and valued.

Research by Boston Consulting Group found that companies with more diverse management teams have 19% higher revenues due to innovation. This indicates that diversity is not just good for company culture, but it's also beneficial for business.

Encouraging diversity in your workforce means more than just hiring practices. It's about creating an environment where all employees feel they can contribute their best work. This involves regular training, open communication channels, and policies that support diversity at all levels.

Building an Agile Infrastructure

An organization's infrastructure can significantly impact its adaptability. This includes not just physical infrastructure but also organizational structures and processes. An agile infrastructure is designed to support quick shifts and rapid decision-making.

This might mean adopting flatter organizational structures that facilitate faster communication and decision-making. It could also involve investing in cloud-based systems and tools that allow employees to work flexibly and collaboratively from anywhere.

Moreover, agile infrastructure is about having the ability to scale up or down quickly in response to market demands. This flexibility ensures that your organization can adapt to various scenarios, whether it's a sudden increase in demand or a need to cut costs during slower periods.

Incorporating these additional sections into your article will provide a more comprehensive view of the different facets that contribute to an enterprise's Adaptability Quotient.

The adaptability of your organization is an important indicator of its future success. By assessing your current adaptability, nurturing a culture of openness to change, utilizing technology wisely, and committing to continuous learning, you can enhance your organization's adaptability. In doing so, you position your enterprise not just to survive but to thrive in the ever-changing business landscape.

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