The Dangers of a Desk Job: How Sitting All Day Can Affect Your Health

 

Sitting at your Desk Job all day long doesn’t sound like it could be that dangerous, does it? It’s not like you’re out running marathons or lifting heavy objects on the job, so what can you be doing that’s so bad for your health?

 While the effects of a desk job aren’t as obvious as some other risk factors, there are still plenty of dangers associated with sitting all day long every single day of your life. Here are some ways to avoid getting into too much trouble at your job and still getting the work done right.

 

What are the dangers?

A desk job can lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The good news is that you can stop the risk by taking some simple steps every day to reduce your time spent sitting. Try these three easy ways to get moving at work today!

1- Sit on an exercise ball instead of your chair for 10 minutes each hour.

2- Take two-minute walking breaks every hour.

 3- Use your hands for any task that could be done with them.

 4- Walk to someone’s office or cubicle rather than emailing them or calling them over the phone.

 

Solutions to avoid sitting all-day

To avoid the negative effects of sitting all day, try these simple desk job health tips to get your body moving throughout the day.

• Set an alarm for every thirty minutes and take a one-minute break to stretch or walk around.
• Hold standing meetings when possible, and trade out sitting meetings with walking ones.
• Stand while talking on the phone or working on your computer.
• Have an exercise ball as your office chair.
• Steer away from the elevator and use the stairs instead.
• Try to take a 20-minute walk during lunchtime.

 

Tips on Standing Desks

As standing desks are becoming more common, they are increasingly popular as an alternative to sitting all day. They allow you to alternate between standing and sitting while at work, which can reduce the risk of health problems like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.

This is because prolonged sitting restricts blood flow in your legs and causes the buildup of bad cholesterol in your arteries. Standing up gives your body a break from those effects and makes it easier for you to get up and move around periodically throughout the day.

 If you’re considering getting a stand-up desk, there are many different options to choose from. The most common type of stand-up desk features a surface that goes up or down with levers or buttons that control how high or low the desk is.

 

Tips on Exercise

If you’re used to sitting all day and you’re looking for ways to get moving, exercise does not have to involve going to the gym or jumping on a treadmill. Walking is one example that could be easily incorporated into your daily routine – simply take the time to walk at least 10,000 steps per day. There are also many free resources available online, such as YouTube channels with workouts.

At work, find opportunities to stand up throughout the day rather than sit all day long. At home, look for chairs with adjustable heights so that you can alternate between sitting and standing during different activities throughout the day.

 

Tips on Changing Habits

There are many health risks that come with sitting all day, and it is important to take steps to avoid these risks. Here are five tips on how you can make your office chair healthier for you.

1- Stand up while you work. Get up and move around once every hour or so to give your body some movement.

2- Take regular breaks from your desk. This will help reduce the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome or other ailments related to sitting for long periods.

3- Stretch! Be sure to stretch at least twice per day to help improve blood flow and decrease muscle tension.

 4- Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

 5- Move around more at home.

Try moving furniture in your house, go outside more often, or plan errands during off hours when you can walk instead of driving. These are just a few suggestions to keep in mind when considering the dangers of sitting at a desk for long periods each day!