Notaries! Stop Sitting Like It's Your Job

April is Physical Wellness Month: It's Time to Move Before You Morph into a Desk Chair

Sitting is the new smoking!

April is Physical Wellness Month, and since I firmly believe that taking care of my body is crucial to being the best business owner I can be, I want to share some small but mighty ways we can all prioritize our health. Why? Because I’ve learned the hard way that constantly living in a state of stress and calling it “being busy” is just a one-way ticket to Burnoutville. And let me tell you, there’s no first-class section there.

We’ve all been there—sitting for hours at our desks, powering through work, convincing ourselves that we’ll move later. Spoiler alert: later never comes. Meanwhile, our bodies are over here screaming, “Hey! We were designed to move! Why are we basically a human paperweight?”

The Science of Sitting: It’s Not Pretty

Studies show that excessive sitting is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and even premature death. (Yes, really.) According to the Mayo Clinic, people who sit for more than eight hours a day with no physical activity have a risk of dying similar to the risks of smoking and obesity. Yikes. But here’s the kicker: Even if you work out for an hour a day, it doesn’t erase the damage of sitting for extended periods. Our bodies need regular movement throughout the day, not just a single burst of treadmill time.

The Entrepreneur’s Predicament: We Sit… A Lot

As business owners, we sit to work, we sit to officiate signing ceremonies, we sit at networking lunches, and we sit some more to check our emails about all the sitting we did. No wonder our bodies rebel! The good news is there are easy ways to incorporate movement into your day that don’t require a gym membership or the flexibility of a Cirque du Soleil performer.

Notaries, Here Are Small, Doable Changes to Get You Moving

1. The One-Minute Rule: Every hour, get up and move for at least one minute. Stretch, pace, do a quick set of squats, or just stand and shake out your limbs like a malfunctioning inflatable tube man. It resets your body and brain.

2. Walk and Talk: Have a phone call? Take it while walking. Studies show that walking improves cognitive function and problem-solving skills. Plus, it keeps you from mindlessly refreshing your inbox for the 20th time.

3. Deskercise is a Thing: There are plenty of quick, effective exercises you can do right at your desk—seated leg lifts, shoulder shrugs, neck stretches, or even standing calf raises while waiting for your computer to unfreeze (again).

4. Hydration = Forced Movement: The more water you drink, the more you have to get up and use the restroom. Nature’s way of keeping us moving!

5. The 20-8-2 Rule: For every 20 minutes of sitting, aim to stand for 8 minutes and move for at least 2 minutes. Your circulation will thank you.

Your Brain Loves Movement, Too

Beyond physical health, regular movement boosts productivity, creativity, and mental clarity. Research from Stanford University found that walking increases creative output by up to 60%! Ever had a breakthrough idea while pacing around? That’s your brain on movement.

And let’s not forget stress management. Exercise triggers the release of endorphins, those magical little hormones that fight stress and boost your mood. So if you’ve ever felt like throwing your laptop out the window after a tough workday, try a brisk walk instead—it’s cheaper than buying a new laptop.

The Takeaway: Move Now, Thank Yourself Later

Incorporating more movement into your day doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small. Stand up more. Walk when you can. Stretch like your life depends on it (because, in some ways, it does). Your body—and your business—will thank you.

Notaries this April, let’s make movement a priority. Because if we don’t, we might just become one with our desk chairs. And I don’t know about you, but I have bigger goals than that. Now, get up and move! (Yes, right now.)