The danger of sitting
If you are anything normal, odds are good that you spend large amounts of your day sitting down at work whether you are back in the office or still working at home. This is understandable but risky - many studies show that excessive sitting can lead to pain, decreased mobility, and increased risk of illness or death. All of this makes it clear: you need to stop consistently sitting at work! Of course, we don’t mean you shouldn’t sit at all, just not the entire time. Everything in moderation!
Thankfully, there are things you can do to decrease this danger or seek treatment if you are in pain from your working situation.
WHY YOU SHOULD STOP SITTING AT WORK
Excessing sitting shows real risks. It can decrease your mobility and increase your joint pain. Believe it or not, it can also damage your mental health, as studies show that an active mind and an active body are related. This means that sitting too much can allow you to fall into a rut, potentially leading to depression. Furthermore, excessive sitting is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and more.
There are, thankfully, alternatives! A standing desk helps you to work standing for a set period and can be a great way of getting you up and making you move around. There are also a variety of exercises you can do that can help give your body the physical activity you need.
EXERCISES TO HELP KEEP YOU MOVING
There are many exercises you can do at work that can stretch your limbs and keep you physically active. These include:
Arm Pulses: Standing up at your desk and push away from your chair. Hold your arms straight at your sides, then bring them as far backward as possible, holding them there for as long as you can.
Arm Circles: Stand up and extend your arms parallel to the ground. Make twenty circles with your arms, then do the same in the opposite direction.
Squats: Stand up and clasp your arms in front of your chest. Squat to the ground, going as low as you comfortably can before standing straight again. Repeat 10 times.
Calf Raises: Stand straight, then stand up your tippy toes, raising your heels off of the floor. Repeat ten times.
If you are still struggling with pain or discomfort then please email us on admin@wimbornewellnesscentre.co.uk or call 01202 604707!