Take a Hike!

One thing ALL of us can benefit from is getting away from our desks.  Whether we've been driven away by our next-door neighbor's incessant phone gossip or the break room smells are too much to handle, a bit of exercise does everyone some good.  I have taken walks many times to escape the insanity or boredom of a workday.  Here are some tips on making a walking break a routine part of your work day.

• Try to walk for at least 30 minutes.  You can use your watch or cell phone to see when you've walked 15 minutes and then make your way back to your desk.
• Try to take your walk break the same time each day, when it makes sense for you.  If you can't function without 2 cups of coffee, then don't try to schedule your walk at 10am when you've only had one cup.  Likewise, don't try to schedule your walk at 11:30am if you know you start getting hungry then.
• A very important tip is to try to schedule your walk when you are less likely to be missed.  Around lunchtime is a great option (so anywhere from 11am - 1:30pm).  If you don't want to lose any time around lunch, you could try mid-afternoon or mid-morning.  But, come on, how many times a day can you check your personal email or check just to see if your favorite blog has a new post up?  Take a walk!
• Find the best route for your walk.  It's probably not the healthiest to walk down the sidewalk beside a congested street where you'll be inhaling exhaust during your entire walk.  Also walk somewhere that you feel is safe (i.e. don't go for a walk in the neighborhood behind your building if you've seen police cars there regularly).  Try to find a quiet area with sidewalks that you can meander down.  If today's walk didn't go down the greatest route, try a different route tomorrow.
• Alternatively, if the weather is bad you could find a walking route indoors.  Does your employer have a giant (but quiet) warehouse?  Walk around those areas to at least get some exercise in.  Are you on the seventh floor of your building?  Walk down the stairs and take the elevator back up (or walk up if you're feeling great).
• Do your best to take a walk at least once a day, but if you don't then that's ok.  If you have crazy deadlines one day, you can try to fit in a shorter break.  You could also break from your regular time and go for a walk if the work slows down (i.e. when you start a program process that you know will take at least 30 minutes). 

Be sure to take your cell phone with you in case someone at work does need to get in touch with you or just in case you get lost yourself and need to call for directions.  If you're going to walk outside, be sure to take sunglasses and a jacket or coat if needed.