Moving more during your office day
On average, we sit for more than 8 hours a day. Prolonged sitting is not good for you at all and comes with various health risks. In combination with little physical activity, it can even lead to body complaints and cardiovascular diseases. In short, sitting still all day at the office is not good for you. That’s why we’re giving you 5 tips on how to incorporate movement during your office day.
#1 Standing while working
Yes, you read that right: standing while working. Now you might think it’s very inconvenient if you work at a desk. Standing desks are being added to the furniture in more and more modern offices. Standing for long periods does require 20% more energy than sitting. One disadvantage of standing desks is that most people tend to lean when they have to stand for a long time. This is not great for your posture. Therefore, it’s best to alternate between standing and sitting while working. A hybrid desk is perfect for this purpose as it can be raised and lowered with the press of a button.
#2 Use a stability ball instead of an office chair
Stability balls are increasingly being used in offices instead of regular chairs. The advantage of the ball lies in its mobility. Because the ball moves and allows you to sit more freely, you naturally tend to move more. It’s not possible to slouch on a ball, which promotes an active sitting posture.
#3 Stand up occasionally
It’s important to walk and get out of your sitting position occasionally. This can include going to a colleague’s desk or making a cup of coffee. Keep in mind that you should not sit still for more than 2 hours, and after that, you should do something different for 10 minutes. If you have a sports watch, it can make it even easier as it alerts you when you’ve been sitting for too long.
#4 Take the stairs
No matter how tempting it is to take the escalator or elevator, don’t do it! If you’re on a high floor, start by walking only the first few floors and challenge yourself to add another floor periodically.
#5 Stand or walk during meetings or phone calls
When answering the phone at the office, stand up to keep yourself moving a bit. During a meeting with a small group, you could take a walk. If it’s a larger group, it’s more practical to have a standing meeting, but avoid sitting.
By incorporating these tips, you can introduce more movement into your office day and counteract the negative effects of prolonged sitting.
