Why We Need to Get Up and Walk at Work

Do your legs become stiff and muscles sore from sitting all day at work? Is it cold in the office? Forbes Living TV offers ways to get up and walk at work.

Anyone who has sat all day and then gets up to walk to the bathroom, the break room or even home at the end of the day knows how stiff joints and muscles get from sitting all day. Below are some suggestions about how to add small amounts of movement into the day to avoid circulation problems and/or joint and muscles issues later.

Position the desk chair so it is comfortable and allows legs to touch the floor easily.

Take a 15 minute morning break to walk around outside, on your floor or in the building. This reverses the bad health effects of sitting all day such as damage to leg arteries and reduces heart-related problems.

familykenkel learns that a recent study found that during a three hour period, the function of the femoral artery was decreased as much as 50% after just one hour of sitting. But study participants who walked for five minutes each hour of sitting did not experience that drop in arterial function. This suggests that the increase in muscle activity and blood flow is vital.

Get up every hour and walk around. Most states give employees two 15 minute breaks per day plus a lunch break. Use breaks to walk and keep arteries and blood flow normal. Walking also increases oxygen to the brain which can aid creativity and boost productivity.

How to Gripe and Get What You Want

Call it complaining, griping of kvetching. There is a certain way to do it and pretty much get what you want. familykenkel learns (and has tried) to complain the right way.  If griping about what you didn’t get or did get that’s not right didn’t get you anywhere, try some of the useful suggestions below from an etiquette expert.

Step back and ask yourself if you have a legitimate complaint. Or are you really having a bad day and want a little validation? Is it really worth it to complain? If so, please do let the other party try to rectify the problem before pummeling the person with barrage of bad words.

Use the right avenue to file a grievance. Social media accounts are the most public way of letting a business or company know they wronged you. And most businesses have social media accounts. Be firm, be polite and state the problem. If no result is produced, write to the CEO with your complaint. Be patient.

Avoid using foul language or to making threats. Most people do not feel they can have a rational conversation with someone who seems to want nothing more than to trash and bash. Be courteous and resist any urges to name-call.

familykenkel also knows that it’s nice to get a good review. If a business or company has resolved the issue, or has provided service that is better than expected, let them know. After all, we all need to hear kind words.

Benefits of Renting Versus Owning a Home

Many former home owners turned to renting when the Great Recession hit and joined those were already renting a home, condo or apartment. These people found some benefits to renting versus owning a home, which familykenkel details below.

U.S.census data reported by RealtyTrac states the number of renters in American homes rose to 34.5% in 2011.  Close to one-fourth of all U.S.metro regions saw higher rental rates, which are still in effect today. When more people want to rent, the higher rental rates will be. Plus, the number of millenials who are now working are also renting.  This creates a shortage of rental homes and gives property management companies and landlords carte blanche to hike rental rates.  Despite the rise in rent and the lack of affordable housing, there are benefits to this type of living:

• Renters do not have the responsibility or cost of home repairs.
• They do not have to worry about lawn maintenance.
• They can pack up and move when the lease expires.
• They can negotiate for a better rate when moving in or when renewing, and add perks such as a new microwave oven, free carpet and air duct cleaning and valet trash service.

Familykenkel show encourages readers to be sure to explore different cities and towns close to work before signing a rental lease. Also, be sure to read every page of the lease, even if the lease it long – as most are. Ask questions. Be very much informed about what the lease covers and does not cover, when rent is due and what the late fee is per day. These are items which can make renting pleasant or miserable. Renting is not for everyone. But neither is home ownership.

How to Stand Up and Move at Work

Some people spend most of their working lives sitting at a desk. These are usually the same people who eat poorly. All of this results in a declining health status. Familykenkel offers the ideas below to help everyone stand up and move at work.

Set your smart phone to vibrate every hour. Stand up and bend your legs, stretch your arms and neck and walk to the break room for a beverage.

Stuck on the phone? Walk around your desk or cubicle. Don’t take that long call sitting down.

Add more walking into the day. Park farther away from the building, from the store, from the school or from the pool. Walk on breaks. Walk after dinner. Walking after a meal actually boosts metabolism.

Leave beach chairs at home when going to the beach, pool, picnic or outdoor event. The Familykenkel learns that while it is harder to get up from a flat surface like a beach blanket, it is better because it will make you walk more.

If it’s okay, get up and walk to someone else’s office or desk space instead of emailing or calling. Walk to lunch instead of ordering in. Walk to the store. Walk to the dry cleaner. But whatever you do, don’t walk in the rain or if it’s lightning outside. Instead, walk up and down stairwells. Stand up and move at work, readers.

Healthy Serves Up, Fulfilling Snack Ideas

We don’t know where you are located, but, it is time for a snack where we are. It’s pretty hard to find something healthful around here, so Familykenkel staffers bring in their own to give them an afternoon boost. Here’s what we’re serving today.

Plain, raw almonds – a handful tossed into a snack size baggie is just enough to get us past the 4 PM hunger hour.

Fresh fruit – Whole fruit like peaches, which are in season, give us a sweet, juicy mid-morning push that lasts all the way until lunch time. If the fruit is in season, all the better.

Plain, low-fat Greek yogurt -- with a good sprinkle of cinnamon and an easy drizzle of organic honey. Packed full of protein with the big spice flavor boost and a taste of sweetness is a great way to get an energy kick when needed.

Slice tomatoes with reduced fat feta – Go Italian. Slice them at home the night before and set inside an airtight container. Sprinkle with crumbled feta, ground pepper, and sliced basil leaves and cover. Put in the fridge. Makes a lovely, healthful snack at any point in the day. Plus, the Familykenkel staffers note it adds some class to your desk.

Be creative with healthy snacks and let us know what you.

Why Stay At Home Dads are Valuable

The economy has left many dads out of work and those that are seem to have taken over the household duties their wives once had. But a recent study found that only eight percent of American households approved this kind of arrangement. Familykenkel explains why stay at home dads are valuable.

In today’s world, children of all ages should see that both men and women can take over the household duties and do it for the better good of the family. Stay at home dads are cooler than stay at home moms because, well, they are dads.  They are good at handy man stuff, can be creative when cooking and do not become unhinged if the carpet is not vacuumed or the dishes not done. They can take freelance writing gigs and blog about their experience at home. They enlighten people with their insight about the same things women usually gripe about. They seem to see more into the female psyche than the sisterhood does. Familykenkel calls the stay at home dads out and thanks them for everything they do. It can’t be easy to be the one seen in the car pool lane, at the grocery store at 10 AM or taking part in a “mommy and me” play group on a daily or weekly basis.  Yet, men are doing this every day. There are roughly 2 million stay at home dads in the U.S.A. These men are probably doing a better job being a stay at home dad than most of us will ever know. Thanks!

Working with Soon-To-Be New Moms at Work

Spring is baby season and many offices may see a bump in expectant moms. Familykenkel offers tips on working with pregnant co-workers.

It should go without saying but it must be said anyway:

• Never ask an expectant mom how much weight she’s gained
• Never comment what she’s wearing or eating
• Don’t offer pregnancy or parenting advice if not asked
• Don’t touch the woman’s tummy without asking unless you are the dad and we are not joking
• Avoid any questions about planned or surprise pregnancies.

It’s okay to ask if she knows the gender of her child. It’s also okay to ask what names are being considered. But please, keep any negative personal thoughts about gender and names to yourself. Familykenkel also suggests asking if there is something you can do to help the expectant mom in the office. Maybe a run to the nearest deli for lunch. Perhaps she has a doctor appointment and needs her desk covered. Hopefully, the requests for assistance won’t be too many making colleagues feel taken advantage of. As the baby’s arrival time nears, make plans to take the mom out for lunch or host an office baby shower. Let her know that her job awaits her when she returns. Soon, the pictures of the baby will start circulating and those who want to see them can. Here’s hoping that baby season is a happy one for both soon-to-be mom and her colleagues and co-workers.