Stand Up For Health!
Advice Against A Sedentary Work Life
Advice published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine warns of the dangers of a sedentary work life. It provides the first expert guidance on curbing health risks of too much sitting in the office, calling for employers to provide sit-stand desks and encourage regular walk-abouts in the office. The guidance, which evaluates and distils the available scientific evidence, was drawn up by a panel of international experts (Br J Sports Med 1 June 2015).
Desk Based Work
If your job is largely desk based, stand up or do 'light activity' (such as walking about) for 2 hours a day across the span of your working day. Increase this progressively to four hours of standing and light activity in an 8-hour working day. Pro-rata time spent sitting vs active to your hours if work part-time.
Alternate
However, your periods of standing and/or light activity should be spread out over a working day, alternating with periods of seated working. A sit-stand desk can help you to achieve the ideal mix of sedentary vs active work, as can taking of short active standing breaks or walking around your office area.
Static Standing
Your seated-based work should be regularly broken up with standing-based work. However, you should avoid static standing in a single block of 2-4hrs as standing still for long periods may be as harmful as sitting for the same amount of time.
Take Time
You will find that it takes time to adapt to this new way of working and you may even experience some aches, pains and fatigue from using different muscles and posture. If so, change your posture and/or walk around for a few minutes to relieve the discomfort.
So, I know I probably spend far too much time sitting at my desk, what about you, let me know in the comments below?
Advice published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine warns of the dangers of a sedentary work life. It provides the first expert guidance on curbing health risks of too much sitting in the office, calling for employers to provide sit-stand desks and encourage regular walk-abouts in the office. The guidance, which evaluates and distils the available scientific evidence, was drawn up by a panel of international experts (Br J Sports Med 1 June 2015).Desk Based Work
If your job is largely desk based, stand up or do 'light activity' (such as walking about) for 2 hours a day across the span of your working day. Increase this progressively to four hours of standing and light activity in an 8-hour working day. Pro-rata time spent sitting vs active to your hours if work part-time.
Alternate
However, your periods of standing and/or light activity should be spread out over a working day, alternating with periods of seated working. A sit-stand desk can help you to achieve the ideal mix of sedentary vs active work, as can taking of short active standing breaks or walking around your office area.
Static Standing
Your seated-based work should be regularly broken up with standing-based work. However, you should avoid static standing in a single block of 2-4hrs as standing still for long periods may be as harmful as sitting for the same amount of time.
Take Time
You will find that it takes time to adapt to this new way of working and you may even experience some aches, pains and fatigue from using different muscles and posture. If so, change your posture and/or walk around for a few minutes to relieve the discomfort.
So, I know I probably spend far too much time sitting at my desk, what about you, let me know in the comments below?
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