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Sitting at your desk for most of the day (at home or in the office)v makes it easy to fall into bad habits.
The good news? It’s pretty easy to kick them.
We’re wired to be on the move—whether that’s as simple as walking, running, biking, etc. or seeking adventures and seeing new places. Ah, travel, we’ve missed you dearly.
A 2018 study by the JAMA Network revealed that 1 in 4 American adults sit for at least eight hours per day, while 4 in 10 are physically inactive. According to the study, “both high sedentary behavior and physical inactivity have negative health effects.”
Ready to make a change? Let’s move (literally).
This is a small step, but a necessary one.
Take a look at your calendar at the start of each day. Are you on video calls? Do you have extended periods of “heads-down” work time?
Put that phone on silent or airplane mode–it’s a big distraction and you know it!– and start with a fresh browser window (those 29 open tabs would make anyone anxious). When you pivot to a new task, or have to jump into a meeting, find a new location, whether you’re home or in the office (provided it’s safe to do so and you can ensure a proper social distance from others).
If there’s a quick meeting or touch-base on the calendar, why not take a walk and have the meeting? It’s not only a welcomed change, but you’re on the move, too.
Most important is getting out of the chair, stretching your body, and giving your legs an opportunity to move. Your legs can’t talk, but they’ll thank you later.
We happen to know a few things about workstations.
One thing we’re certain of: a height-adjustable or standing desk is the gift that keeps on giving, and your health is the main beneficiary. Studies have linked prolonged sitting to health problems like obesity and heart disease, and now it’s easier to fight back.
You’ll burn more calories standing than sitting, for one, and limit the amount of stress on your neck and back that mounts while you’re seated. Other studies have shown that back pain, a common ailment experienced by 4 in 5 adults as they age, is reduced when you’re standing as opposed to sitting.
If you’re interested in a height-adjustable or standing desk, visit hon.com to browse our current offerings.
We know office life has changed in the last year, but things are slowly starting to return to normal. More Americans are either returning to the office or planning to do so in the weeks and months ahead, so what better time to introduce some healthier habits?
If you don’t have time to get outside and take a walk, a few laps around the office is never a bad idea. With your increasingly powerful smartphone, set a reminder in your calendar to mask up and go for a stroll.
When there’s a break in your schedule, invite yourself to your own meeting...and simply go for a walk. It’s a great way to break up the day.
Remember what we said about standing vs. sitting? Finding a few minutes to walk around and get your heart rate going is even better. And, all you need are your feet (and a comfortable pair of shoes).
FUN FACT: a brisk, 30-minute walk burns 200 calories.
Even if you’re short on time, you can still make a positive impact on your health.
Breaks in the day can be rare, but taking a quick timeout between tasks or meetings is good for the body and the mind.
Did you turn that big project in, or finish a conference call that ran a little long? Congratulations. Now it’s time to celebrate by stretching the legs, taking a mental breather for 10 minutes, or just getting a refill in your water bottle.
Those little moments throughout the day—as fleeting as they may be—will help calm things down and give you time to take care of yourself, even on the most hectic days.
For more information on HON’s Healthy Workplace initiatives, or to explore our ergonomic seating and workstation solutions, please visit hon.com.
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