Make your life a mission - not an intermission. - Arnold H. Glasgow
Written by
April 21, 2008
Associate Director of Education
The Cooper Institute
The Cooper Institute
Take 10!
When somebody tells you to “take 10,” it usually means take a break from the task at hand for 10 minutes. There is a different, healthy take on this common command.
For over 10 years, advocates for increasing physical activity have emphasized the importance of accumulating multiple, small bouts of physical activity over the day. This can be in addition to or a replacement for a single, longer exercise session. New, updated physical activity guidelines suggest the length of the short bouts should be about 10 minutes per session to get health benefits. Instead of one 40-minute workout you could walk briskly for 10 minutes four times throughout the day. No sweat. No leotards. How convenient.
The “take 10” physical activity recommendation is sound advice. But don’t forget, any movement (even standing!) is better than no movement for burning calories. So even if you don’t have 10 minute to “take 10” to move, just stand up!
So the next time someone tells you to “take 10,” take it as your prompt to stand up and move around for 10 minutes.
What are creative ways you recommend for people to "take 10?" Add your ideas below.
