Let’s face it, we all have known for a long time that sitting at your office desk all day every day isn’t good for you. In fact, sitting at your desk all the time could be taking months, if not years off your life, so what are you going to do about it?
Sitting too much during the day can lead to or exacerbate a host of health issues if you are already genetically prone to them in the first place. One study conducted in 2017 links diabetes to too much sitting time. You can also experience problems with your posture, heart disease, anxiety and depression and much more. Your brain also works differently as it slows down when you sit too much. The American Cancer Society even says that these adverse effects can occur even if you don’t smoke, have a good diet and exercise. Women are particularly prone to depression and anxiety prompted by sitting. Despite all of this research, the average American sits about 13 hours per day.
1. Walk or bike as much as you can. If you live close to work, taking a bike on days with good weather is a no-brainer. Another option is getting off one-stop away from your destination if you take public transportation. If you must drive, try parking farther away from your office. Skip the elevator and take the stairs, down as well as up.
2. Get up and get moving. Whenever you have a break, get up and walk around instead of relaxing. Make multiple trips to the copy machine or other areas instead of doing all such tasks at once. At lunch, bring a sandwich and go for a walk.
3. Keep free weights or exercise bands at your desk. Pick these up every so often and do several repetitions to keep your muscles active.
4. Schedule Meetings Where You Walk. This is a good idea for one-on-one meetings where you don’t have to review documents or are simply brainstorming. Another possibility is to take call of your phone calls while standing and walk as far as the phone cord will allow.
Office Innovations has other tips for improving your office life. Want to learn more? Contact us for additional information.
