Sitting may be detrimental to your health

Does anyone sit all day at work? Um yes. From cubicles to offices to toll booths, sitting has become a national health hazard. Even though I work in front of a computer a lot I find myself standing because I follow my kids around while working or while cooking in the kitchen.  If they are at school I’ve noticed I sit more. I’ve wondered which is better, to finally sit down or just keep standing? Well, I’ve learned that actually standing is better for you! We have a bistro table between our kitchen and living room and that has made a great standing office.

From stand up work stations to exercise balls, the alternative options for sitting at a desk all day are becoming more and more numerous. There is a good reason for this. According to JustStand.org, excessive sitting impacts our body’s metabolic system. So what can you do to help yourself if you have a desk job? First of all, make yourself take a walk around the office every hour. Whether to go grab a glass of water, a cup of coffee or a snack, make sure that you are separating your sedentary time at your desk.

Stand up or pace while you are on the phone. This may seem silly but if you think about how many hours you spend on the phone at work, this will work out very well for your muscles. Another great thing to do is to stretch in your chair, or even better, get out of it. Just remember to keep your belly button pulled in to protect your back and have better posture. I have also found that putting a hand on my hip helps posture if you are walking around talking on the phone. One of the major problems with having a desk job is hunching over the computer all day. Your shoulders need to be rolled back. Nothing like a little yoga break at your desk to realign your spine.

Prolong your healthy life with just a few easy steps and if you are an employer, seriously consider springing for a stand up workstation. Just don’t look at your employees funny if they are standing at their desk!

Get off the tush and live a longer life,