Washington, March 21 (TNS): Millions of us have jobs that require us to sit at desks or around conference tables for several hours per day. Many health risks are associated with sitting down for prolonged periods but how do we stay active in the workplace? We find out. Even if you are desk-bound all day at work, there are plenty of ways to stay active.
Research has demonstrated that sitting for an extended period is linked with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and an increased risk of death from heart disease and cancer. Excessive sitting may also slow metabolism, which has an impact on the body’s ability to regulate blood pressure and blood sugar, as well as break down body fat. Injecting physical activity into your working day could reduce some of the health risks that are elevated by being sedentary.
One study found that doing just 30 minutes of activity on 5 days each week be it going to the gym, cycling to work, or going for a lunchtime walk could prevent 1 in 12 deaths globally. Being physically fit can also protect against some of the harms of stress in the workplace. Stress can lead to impaired mental well-being, depressive symptoms, and high blood pressure all of which could lead to absences from work. When working at a desk for 7–10 hours per day, finding opportunities to be active can be a challenge. Medical News Today have compiled five top tips to help you stay active in your working day.
