How many hours a day do you spend sitting at your desk?
The average time a worker spends seated during a working day is 5 1/2 hours. The human body was not designed to sit in front of a screen for endless hours, nor to spend three hours an evening slumped in front of the television or iPad.
We need to keep moving to keep healthy.
Research shows that it is beneficial to stand up to work, if only for a few hours a day. Standing up while working reduces mental blocks, boosts concentration, increases movement, causes the heart to beat faster (burning more calories) and reduces the risk of diabetes and heart disease. It may also help us to live longer. A study of 17,000 workers in America found that sitting for fewer than three hours a day could increase life expectancy by as much as two years.
So how can you take a stand?
There are some simple things you can do straight away.
- Getting up from your desk and walking around for five minutes every hour can get muscles moving and improve blood flow.
- Try holding standing meetings – perhaps in your work café, a reception area or even a quiet corridor.
- Give walking meetings a go. Not only is it a chance to get out into the fresh air to boost your oxygen levels, but also getting away from distracting screens, emails and phone calls can improve your concentration and focus on the meeting.
- Replace your desk with a ‘Sit & Stand’ desk. A fresh and modern way for staff to work.
These height adjustable desks are built for wellbeing and working. Fingertip height controls give electronic height adjustment from 700mm to 1200mm in under 12 seconds, giving workers the opportunity to increase their movement with ease. The Sit & Stand desk is available from £445 per person.
Click here for more details or contact us for more info on 0151 737 5000.