Our lives are increasingly sedentary. With so much of the population working at desks either from home or in a communal office, day-to-day movement is restricted. This can have quite an impact on our bodies over time. As we sit still for long periods of time, many people will begin to feel aches and pains across their bodies, but in particular within their necks, backs, and hips. Although there are ways to sit more comfortably and tools to aid posture, the best remedy for this is to get moving! When working in an office environment, movement can be difficult to fit in around your busy work schedule, which is why Wellbeing365 has offered some of these handy tips to help get you up and moving whilst in the office.
The potential health risks of a sedentary lifestyle
Sedentary lifestyles can impact the body in a variety of ways, posing a range of health risks. Some are worse than others.
This includes heightening the risk of:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Depression and Anxiety
- High Blood Pressure
Take an active lunch break
Not only should you be using your lunch break to fuel your body with good, nutritious food, but you should also ensure you are taking a break away from your desk and your work. With a standard 30 minute or 1-hour lunch break, there is plenty of time to get away from your desk and head out for a short walk or quick workout. For those sitting for long periods of time during the day, this quick break will help to increase your energy levels, reduce stress levels, and make you feel much more motivated to continue the working day. Some companies have even started offering fitness classes during the lunch hour! This is to help their teams increase their physical activity and to improve their energy levels throughout the tiring working day.
Simple stretches to complete at your desk
If you have been struggling with the niggling pain of backache and neck pain, you may need to incorporate some daily stretches into your working day.
Some quick stretches you can do at your desk will help to make you feel much more comfortable. Try these stretches to help relieve any tension you may be feeling while sitting at your desk:
- Shoulder shrugs
- Neck rotations
- Upper body stretches – lift your hands above your head and stretch as far as you can.
- Wrist and finger stretches – to prevent wrist strain, stretch your hands and wrist throughout the day for a few seconds to prevent tension.
- Seated body twist – remain seated and twist your body from left and right, it is great for your abdomen and obliques.
Get on your feet with a standing desk
Why not consider replacing your current desk with a standing desk? This is a great way to reduce the number of hours you are sitting down during the day. As it is so easy to remain seated at your desk to complete your daily tasks, standing becomes less of a priority. But standing is much better for the body and may actually burn more calories than sitting! Your company should be able to offer you the opportunity to switch your desk type to a standing desk. These desks can be adjusted so you are able to work at different heights. Allowing you to switch between sitting and standing throughout the day.
