With summer over and Fall in full swing, businesses are getting back to normal. If you work in an office, it may mean you’re now spending more time sitting at your desk doing things like budgets for the next year or pulling reports for analysis of this year. It may mean you are sitting for the better part of your workday.
Our sedentary lifestyles are taking a toll on the health of the American office worker. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Risks associated with sitting 8 or more hours per day include obesity and a cluster of conditions that include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels. Too much sitting overall and prolonged periods of sitting also seem to increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer.”
What can you do to lower your risks? To start, you need to get up out of your chair more often. Some simple answers include:
- Take a break from sitting every 30 minutes.
- Stand while talking on the phone or watching television.
- If you work at a desk, try a standing desk – or improvise with a high table or counter.
- Walk with your colleagues for meetings rather than sitting in a conference room.
- Position your work surface above a treadmill – with a computer screen and keyboard on a stand or a specialized treadmill-ready vertical desk – so that you can be in motion throughout the day.
Spending a lot of time at your desk might mean that it is time to explore some new desk and chair options. There are many types of sit/stand desks on the market today. From simple platforms that sit on top of the desk and raise and lower to stand, to more complex and active models mentioned above such as treadmill desks. While you may not want to work up a sweat at your desk, the treadmill is one of the more innovative ideas out there to combat too much sitting.
Another factor in office comfort is the office chair. Chairs that allow for adjustments to the seat and arm rest height are the best. Our ergonomic excerpts can help in choosing the right desk and chair and teach staff how to adjust them for a good fit.
Fortunately for you, you don’t have to sacrifice health and comfort at the desk. There are options to help you and your staff stay comfortable and productive at work. Great River Office Products offers more than just office supplies. Our ergonomic furniture experts can help you create a more comfortable space at the office.