With recent research showing that sitting down all day increases the likelihood of an early death- is it time that we overhauled our workplace habits?
From an early age, it is drummed into us that we sit down, and sit still for activities that require our attention, so we sit down and still for work, then we come home and do more of the same. With most of us spending more than 13 hours a day stationary, new research by Columbia University Medical Center, reported on theguardian.com, suggests that we are reducing our chances of living a long and healthy life.
The rules of the workplace are clear. There are procedures, practices and expectations to follow. However, is it time that we looked at our workplace conventions afresh- and reconsidered some of our established habits at the office – for our health? There are a number of forward-thinking companies, getting the ball rolling for us, like Fruitful Office, an office fruit delivery company committed to helping us to get easy access to high quality fruit at work.
With most of the workforce stuck in the office all day, the results of the study are pretty worrying: ‘the authors concluded that sitting in an office for long periods has a similar effect to smoking and ought to come with a health warning’ 1.
Last year saw the phenomenon of standing desks really take hold. Healthline.com cites recent research by the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology which found ‘that standing for six hours a day instead of sitting not only prevents weight gain’, it promotes more movement which ‘can help people shed pounds’, and is ‘associated with lower risks for strokes and heart attacks’. 2
There are also the walking meetings that have been gaining popularity over the last couple of years, as well as the ever-improving option to spend lunchtime in the gym. Alternatively you could always bring the gym to you, with a modern surfboard, exercise bike or treadmill desks.
With research and innovations of this nature, growing in momentum by the day, it seems that office culture is gearing up for a change. One thing is for sure, and that is that the days of feeling duty-bound to sit at a desk all day are coming to an end, so make good use of the excuse to pop outside and get some fresh air- for health purposes, of course!
How do you keep moving in the office? What do you think will be the biggest change in office culture over the next ten years? Tell us- we would love to know!
