Why is it important to stay active at work?
Feeling that pinch in your lower back? Or maybe you find yourself feeling fatigued throughout the workday? These are common signs you may be sitting for too long at work. In addition to lower-back pain, sitting for long periods of time can cause aches and strains in your shoulders, neck, and upper back. It can also lead to a lack of energy and focus, preventing you from being your most productive. It can be easy to fall into a sedentary routine, especially if your job requires long hours of sitting in front of a computer. During your commute to work, you may also be sitting in a car or bus. Even after-work activities that are meant to wind you down are more comfortable when you’re seated. That’s why it’s important to incorporate movement during your workday. The great part about staying active at work is that there are range of small habits you can add to your day that will make a big difference in your health and wellbeing. To get you started, we’ve put together some ideas for how you can get moving at work. 1) Increase Walking Distances One of the simplest things you can do is to increase your step count. You can do this by parking further away from the office’s front doors, taking the stairs whenever possible, and periodically walking around the office to communicate with your coworkers instead of just emailing them. By keeping your heart pumping, you can increase blood and oxygen flow in your body, resulting in more energy.
2) Get a Standing Desk
Height-adjustable standing desks are a great addition to any workspace because they turn a sedentary job into one that promotes movement. By standing at your desk, you immediately improve your posture, while relieving pressure in your back. It can also prevent you from feeling sluggish, so you can maintain energy and alertness while you work.
Whether your workspace is at home or in the office, Source has height-adjustable standing desks that make it easy for you to switch from sit to stand.
Our Echo Height-Adjustable Desk is our most economical standing desk and features a simple control panel that lets you change the height with up and down buttons. Its 2-stage lifts offer a span of 28” to 47”, accommodating a wide range of heights.
The Enhance Height-Adjustable Desk features a 3-stage lift that spans from 25.4” to 51” and accommodates an even wider range of heights. In addition to up and down buttons, the control panel includes three programmable buttons that allow you to save your favourite heights as presets.
If you already have a desk that you love, you can opt for our Sit-To-Stand Elevate Desk. This riser sits on top of your current work surface, turning any stationary desk into standing desk.
3) Get Some Fresh Air
Having a clear head can help you scale your creativity to new heights and improve focus so you can dive deeper into the finer details of your work.
Whenever possible, try turning your one-on-one meetings to outdoor walks where you can have discussions and brainstorming sessions in the energizing fresh air. Taking your coffee and meal breaks outside is another great way to get fresh air, while putting some distance between you and your computer.
4) Desk-Friendly Stretches
Having one of those days where it’s impossible to leave your desk? A good stretch every couple of hours can lead to happier muscles and a more comfortable experience at work.
Simple head tilts gently stretch the neck and trapezius muscles, which are commonly known to hold a lot of stress and tension. Remember to go slow and avoid making any sudden movements to prevent further strains and injuries.
Release shoulder tension with 10 shoulder raises followed by 10 shoulder rolls, front to back, and back to front. Repeat on each arm three times.
Draw each letter of the alphabet with your foot as you sit and plug away at your work to stretch and strengthen the muscles in your lower legs and ankles.
These simple movements won’t interrupt your work or distract you from staying on task, and maybe your coworkers will catch on and be inspired to do their own version of workplace stretches.
If you’re ready to create a workspace that puts your health and body first, Source’s selection of ergonomic office furniture can get you started. Contact your nearest Source location to get started.
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