You really can help your health during your school day!

We often hear, “Don’t ask me to do one more thing during my school day!” School days are jam-packed and oftentimes we put off our own wellness until the school day ends. However, we know at the end of a long day when we are tired and have made tens of thousands of decisions, we often don’t make the healthiest of choices. Netflix, here we come!

The good news is there is a great way that you can help yourself be healthier at work each day, and it doesn’t take long! 2 minutes is all you need! This tip helps prevent/treat chronic illness by lowering your risk of type 2 diabetes, helps with blood sugar levels and benefits cardiovascular health, AND you can get it done at work! Are you wondering what you can do in 2 minutes that has all of these wonderful health benefits?!

A short walk.

A recent study showed that 2-5 minutes of light walking after eating can reduce blood sugar and insulin levels. Just 2-5 minutes! 120 seconds!

After we eat, we have a temporary spike in our blood glucose levels, called a postprandial spike.

This spike in blood sugar causes a release of insulin, a hormone that makes glucose leave our bloodstream and enter our cells, where it's used for energy.

If the body consistently has very high spikes in blood sugar—and in response is routinely pumping out more insulin—cells may eventually stop responding to insulin and become insulin resistant. This can lead to pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Walking causes muscle contractions that use up the extra glucose in our bloodstream, lowering blood sugar levels and reducing the need for insulin secretion.

Even standing after a meal is beneficial, but not as beneficial as walking.

So aim to get your activity in before your postprandial spike, or glucose peak, which generally occurs 60-90 minutes after eating. Leave yourself a few minutes during your lunch break to take a stroll around the hallways or walk around your classroom. Get moving any way you can. It will make a difference!