Consider A Standing Desk
“We are fans of standing desks and use them ourselves because we find that they create more opportunities for us to move more, fidget and change positions throughout the day,” Kelly says. “We also find that if we are already standing, we are more apt to walk around our office to talk to our colleagues.”
“avoid what we call ‘marathon bouts of sitting’ at all costs, where you don’t get up or change position for long periods.”
How Good Are Standing Desks For You Really?
Sunday Times 13th August 2023
Is it time you stood up to work? Growing numbers of people certainly think so.
Standing desks don’t just help with bad backs. Research published in the British Medical Journal last year found that office staff at six councils in England reported improvements in stress levels and wellbeing after using them as part of a year-long trial. The participants, who were also encouraged to move around the office more, also felt more energetic, focused and productive, the University of Leicester researchers found.
Those who are sold on the idea include Sarah Vickerstaff, a semi-retired academic who had major back surgery ten years ago. The 66-year-old has osteoarthritis and says that if she’d used a standing desk earlier, she might not have needed the op. “The lower joints in my back were degenerating and crunching down on the nerves. Standing up was always the most comfortable position to be in,” says Vickerstaff, a member of the charity Arthritis Action. “If I had spent half my working life stood up at a desk, it might have reduced the speed of degeneration and, who knows, I might have avoided surgery.”
“It wakes you up to stand up,” says Jo Vallom-Smith, an occupational therapist. Indeed, study after study has linked a sedentary lifestyle to a higher risk of everything from heart disease to cancer. One study from Edinburgh University found that middle-aged office workers spend 7.8 hours sitting down on an average weekday — that’s about half an hour longer than pensioners. “The human body is not designed to sit down on a chair behind a desk,” says Chris Terry, a director at the occupational health service Insight Workplace Health. “We are meant to be walking around or lying down or at least squatting.”
“It’s the change of position that’s important,” agrees Terry, who adds that standing for five to ten minutes every half-hour is plenty. James suggests taking a more task-based approach — sitting to type and standing for phone calls. “Take every meeting in a different position, if you can. If you stand up for one, sit for the next and walk around at lunch.”
Other tips include not letting one leg take all the strain while standing. “Some people set alarms to remind themselves to change feet,” says Vallom-Smith from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, who prefers using cues such as the arrival of a phone call or an email. Some standing desk enthusiasts are going a step further by standing on wobble boards — gym equipment that rocks from side to side. “It helps with concentration but wouldn’t be everybody’s cup of tea,” Terry says
WFH Is Fuelling Sick Note Britain, Says Minister With Record 2.5million People Signed Off Work
- Bad posture while WFH may have fuelled rise in those on long-term sick leave
- Aches and pains caused by WFH has fuelled Britain’s bulging sick bill, MP Mel Stride the work and pensions secretary has suggested.
- Bad posture while working remotely may have contributed to the rise in those now unemployed due to muscle, back and joint problems,MP Mel Stride said.
The Importance Of A Dedicated Workspace For Remote Workers
Remote work has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. It offers a number of benefits, including flexibility, freedom, and the ability to work from anywhere. However, there are also some challenges associated with remote work, one of which is the lack of a dedicated workspace.
A dedicated workspace is essential for remote workers to maintain good posture, prevent physical discomfort, and minimize the risk of long-term musculoskeletal issues. When you work from home, it can be tempting to work from the couch, the kitchen table, or even your bed. However, these are not ideal workspaces, as they can lead to poor posture and other health problems.
A dedicated workspace should be a quiet, well-lit space that is free from distractions. It should also be equipped with the necessary furniture and equipment, such as a desk, chair, computer, and monitor. If possible, the workspace should be located in a separate room from your living space. This will help you to create a clear boundary between your work life and your personal life.
There are a number of benefits to having a dedicated workspace. First, it can help you to be more productive. When you have a dedicated workspace, you are less likely to be distracted by household chores, pets, or other family members. Second, a dedicated workspace can help you to maintain good posture. When you sit at a desk that is the right height for you and use a chair with good lumbar support, you are less likely to experience back pain, neck pain, or other health problems. Third, a dedicated workspace can help you to feel more focused and productive. When you have a dedicated space for work, you are more likely to be in the right mindset to focus on your tasks.
If you are a remote worker, I encourage you to create a dedicated workspace in your home. It is an investment that will pay off in terms of your physical health, your productivity, and your overall well-being.
Here are some additional tips for creating a dedicated workspace:
- Choose a quiet and well-lit space in your home.
- Make sure your desk and chair are the right height for you.
- Invest in a good ergonomic chair.
- Add some personal touches to your workspace to make it feel more inviting.
- Set boundaries between your work life and your personal life.
By following these tips, you can create a dedicated workspace that will help you to be more productive, focused, and healthy.
You Need To Stand Up More Than Once An Hour
Time Newspaper 10/08/2023
The longer you sit each day, the worse the effect on your health, even if you find an hour out of your day to hit the gym. But while your fitness tracker or smartwatch may prompt you to stand up every hour it is probably not often enough. Research at Glasgow Caledonian University found that setting an alarm to remind yourself to stand up every 30 minutes could reduce sitting time by 40 minutes a day, thereby cutting your risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Better still, get up and walk for five minutes every half an hour, a practice shown to reduce blood sugar spikes by 58 per cent compared with sitting all day in a recent study from Columbia University. “Prolonged sitting is bad news and the more often you can break it up with activity, the better,” Wong says.