You may think your office job is about as safe as it gets. You don’t repair power lines, work with radioactive waste or fish for crabs on Deadliest Catch. However, studies have revealed some frightening facts about your hum-drum office job.
Something in your office is increasing the risks of heart problems, diabetes and cancer. It’s not found in the break room nor the smoking section outside. So what is it?
Your office chair.
The average employee sits for almost six hours at their office. Combined with time spent eating and relaxing, many people spend the majority of the day in a chair. The human body isn’t designed to be so sedentary. Moving around is necessary for proper blood flow and overall health. When we sit for this long, we can reduce blood circulation, lose muscle mass, strain the back and even harm organs.
The effects of too much sitting has been linked conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- High Cholesterol
- Obesity
- Heart attacks
- Mental health problems
- Cancer
- Early Death
You may think “I go to the gym multiple times a week. That should offset the negative effects of sitting.” Unfortunately, this is not the case. While everybody should exercise regularly, it does not undo the damage done from spending your whole day in a chair.
So what can I do?
Taking breaks to walk around and stretch is a good idea, but most people either forget or do not walk frequently enough. The best solution to this office ordeal is the stand-up desk.
Like the name suggests, stand-up desks, or standing desks, are designed so you can stand comfortably while you work. Specialized stools are available to prevent your legs and feet from tiring without completely sitting down.
Stand Up Desk Health Benefits
Standing desks have a variety of health benefits. Not only do they reduce the risk of the aforementioned health problems, but they also improve posture, alertness and mental clarity. Employees feel more energized throughout the day, burn calories and increase productivity.
As studies continue to expose the dangers of sitting, stand-up desks are growing in popularity. Office workers across the country are giving them a try and many have sworn off traditional office chairs and desks completely.
