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How To Stay Healthy While You Work

If you have a job that requires you to sit for long periods of time, you may not realize how dangerous it is to your well-being. James A. Levine, M.D., Ph.D. from the Mayo Clinic, wrote:

"Researchers have linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns, including obesity and metabolic syndrome — a cluster of conditions that includes increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels.

Any extended sitting — such as behind a desk at work or behind the wheel — can be harmful. What’s more, spending a few hours a week at the gym or otherwise engaged in moderate or vigorous activity doesn’t seem to significantly offset the risk.

Rather, the solution seems to be less sitting and more moving overall. You might start by simply standing rather than sitting whenever you have the chance."

And here I thought because I do rigorous exercise Monday through Friday, I was healthy! I needed to think differently and you may need to as well. Here are some suggestions that will get you up off your duff!

Park near the back of the parking lot.
Ask a question to your coworker by visiting them instead of emailing.
Set an alarm on your phone for every hour – when it goes off, stand at your desk and do squats for one minute. Obviously this doesn’t work for someone in an open office space.
If you can’t do the above, at least stand up or walk to the bathroom/kitchen.
Stand up and walk to your filing cabinet instead of rolling your chair.
Stand up and organize your desk the last 5-10 minutes of the day (win-win)
Request a sit-stand desk at work, or if you work at home purchase one.
On your break, go for a brisk walk.
Stand while eating lunch.
Stand while talking on the phone.
Take the scenic route to the bathroom.

As soon as I heard how unhealthy it is to sit for long periods of time, I immediately started looking for solutions. Whether you are an artist, accountant, blogger, designer, secretary, etc, I am sure you can incorporate one or more of the above suggestions into your work day in order to be more healthy. Give it a try!