Sitting All Day: Tips to A Healthier Desk Job

Sitting may be relaxing but too much of it can be alarming. Research implies that people who sit for a long period of time are more likely to acquire chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. This is also dubbed as “the new smoking” because of the dangers it brings to health. A sedentary lifestyle, according to medical and ergonomics experts, should be avoided. But sitting is necessary at our daily activities because it allows us to perform motor skills such as driving, computer works, detailed drawing, holding a spoon and writing.

For those whose job requires sitting, experts suggested the following activities be included in the daily routine.

• Use the stairs whenever possible.
• Exercise during break time with colleagues or friends.
• Visit co-workers in person instead of sending an email.
• Walk or bike when doing personal errands.
• In the office, stand up and stretch, walk or lift hand weights.

A concurrent statement from an international group of experts was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in March 2015. It provided a set of recommendations that will encourage workers to stand and/or move more frequently. For an occupation that requires mostly sitting or desk-based, workers are encouraged to start standing for at least 2 hours per day while doing the walking and working. This will progress gradually to a total of 4 hours per day of standing.

How is this achieved? 

Sitting while working will be periodically changed to standing while working with the use of sit to stand desks. Also, this change from sitting to standing is possible by having active, intentional standing breaks.

Another recommendation was the provision of health information goals. Aside from implementing company rules on improved nutrition, reducing alcohol, smoking, and stress management companies should also inform their staff about the detrimental effects of prolonged sitting. The workers must be given information on how extended sitting practices may increase the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, obesity, colon cancer, and even premature death.

Requiring the staff to use a standing desk will not only make them healthy but also will increase their productivity and group performance. It is also advisable that when a standing desk is used, workers are also taught how to use it properly and with the use of additional gadget or office furniture (which is optional) such as keyboard tray which will guard the user against carpal tunnel syndrome.

Another office design LED desk lamp, for proper lighting, as the lights affect one's productivity and alertness. Standing with your standing desk is more convenient with the anti-fatigue mat on your feet which is a solid, high-density ergo-foam core for lasting support while standing. With this ergonomic furniture and gadgets, the transition from sitting to standing in a sit to stand workstation is a success.