Do you find yourself sitting at a desk for long hours every day, either at home or in the office? Increased workloads, coupled with the fact that more of us are working from home, means that we're hunched over a computer screen for longer than we should be. As a result, there’s a good chance we’re unfit, and in fact, a lack of exercise can be seriously detrimental to our health. In fact, some health experts have compared sitting to smoking.
An ‘Artificial’ Way of Working
Research shows that sitting for long periods of time leads not only to aches and pains, but to a higher risk of muscular-skeletal disorders, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. “We’re simply not genetically programmed to remain sitting all day,” says health and fitness expert Professor Niall Moyna from Dublin City University. “We evolved from hunters-gathers, but the Industrial Revolution of the 19th Century and more recently, the Digital Revolution, have changed the way many of us are working. It’s completely artificial.”
The Benefits of Standing
While the value of standing desks has been recognised in other parts of the world like Scandinavia, they’re still not the norm in Ireland. So, what can you do to limit the damage? “Get away from your chair whenever you can,” says Professor Moyna. “Something as simple as walking to the kitchen will improve your fitness level, especially when you do this regularly throughout the day.” He notes that employees should not be made to feel guilty about moving about. “You shouldn’t feel like a social outcast because you leave your desk,” he adds. “In fact, it should be encouraged to move around the office by your employers.”
Incorporating Exercise
A great way to build exercise into your day is to do some form of activity during your lunchbreak. Mark O’Reilly of Fitvision thinks that exercise should be mandatory in all workplaces. “When combined with a balanced diet”, he says, “exercise can lead to fat loss and improved strength, as well as making you more toned and improving your cardiovascular fitness. It also has powerful psychological benefits, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.” If working from home has impacted your job’s culture, why not organise an activity next time a group of you are in? “Group exercise helps to foster camaraderie and improves the overall culture in a workplace. Often employees from different departments get to interact when they wouldn’t normally. It creates a better working environment.” For more information about Fitvision visit www.fitvision.ie
The MyLife app empowers and inspires its users to live healthier, more active lives. Download today here.
MyLife is provided by Irish Life Financial Services. MyLife is not a regulated financial product