In a post-COVID world, many of us are now working from home as the new normal. Whether you love or hate remote working, chances are your fitness and wellness has suffered in the last few years, as the need to leave the house became somewhat unnecessary.

I’m a big believer in positive reinforcement, so I won’t launch into a fear-mongering fitness frenzy about how your desk is slowly eroding your body and numbing your mind and soul!

No – this is not that.

Instead, I want you to have a healthy relationship with your desk. And like any healthy relationship, that means spending a little time apart.

Sitting for long periods can contribute to weight gain and increase your risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. If your hips are stiff, your back aches, your ankles are puffy, your digestion’s sluggish, and your mood’s dipping, desk bod might just be the culprit.

Here are some at-home exercises to wake up dormant muscles and breathe new life into your day:

Toe Taps

Stand in front of a step, tap with one foot, then switch at a faster pace than usual. Gets your heart rate up, boosts coordination, and reactivates sleepy legs. Level up? Reach for step number two.

Static Lunges

Targets your glutes, quads, and core – counteracting the shortened hip flexors and weakened glutes that come from excessive sitting. For that extra stretch, elevate your back foot.

Superheroes with Elbow Retraction

Strengthens your lower back, glutes, and shoulders, while opening up the chest. Perfect for reversing laptop posture.

Clapping Wall Push-Ups

Fires up your upper body and gets blood flowing – no floor required. Great for reviving sleepy arms and shaking off keyboard fatigue.

Do each exercise for 45 seconds, 3 to 5 rounds or spread them throughout the day. It all counts!