Speed, even if slow, can have a significant impact. For starters, you’ll burn more calories. As a result, there may be a possibility of a decrease in energy and weight gain. Additionally, exercise keeps your muscles toned, mobile and mentally healthy, especially as you age.
In an interview with Zee English, Suresh Tanwar, Head of Audit and Consultancy, British Safety Council India, talks about the surprising health risks lurking in your chair.
“We often spend most of our waking hours sitting at work, at home or in various establishments,” says Suresh Tanwar. However, worrying research shows that sitting for long periods of time can harm our health. A study conducted in 2017 showed that people who spend most of their day sitting are at an increased risk of premature death.
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Sitting as a working posture was not prevalent until a few centuries ago. In the early 19th century, only one percent of people held sedentary jobs. However, today three-quarters of us work in offices, and spend most of our days sitting. This change in lifestyle has negatively affected our posture, increasing the chances of back pain.
dangers of sitting for long periods of time
Studies show that sitting for long periods of time, anywhere from 30 minutes to 12 hours, can harm health. Most of us lean back in chairs while looking at a computer screen, which puts uneven pressure on the spine and pressure on the chest.
Additionally, fat is burned at a slower rate when we are sitting than when we are active. To combat these risks short breaks are needed every hour of continuous screen use.
Although many jobs today require sitting, it is important to make regular exercise a priority to compensate for a sedentary lifestyle. Research such as the ICMR-INDIAB study has shown that many people in India lead a sedentary life, which leads to increased rates of type 2 diabetes and heart diseases.
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how exercise benefits health
Exercise is widely recognized as essential to maintaining good health, but even incorporating exercise does not eliminate the risk of prolonged sitting.
In the UK, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Health and Safety at Work Management Regulations 1999 require employers to protect their workers from the health risks associated with sedentary work.
In February this year, the UK government agency, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), commissioned the Workplace Health Expert Committee (WHEC), which found that prolonged sitting can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, colon, endometrial, lung and Chances of other diseases increase. breast cancer, and depression.
With approximately 507,000 employees with work-related musculoskeletal disorders, employers must prioritize the well-being of their employees.
It is essential to educate employees about the health risks associated with prolonged sitting, which can result in cardiometabolic disease and premature death.
How can you add more activity at work?
Sit-stand desks have emerged as a solution, allowing workers to switch between sitting and standing. However, it’s important to note that not all health experts support them, as standing for long periods of time carries risks. Professor Karen Walker-Bone, from the Arthritis Research UK/MRC Centre, highlights that prolonged sitting and standing poses a risk to posture, and stresses the importance of avoiding static positions altogether.
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Some organisations, such as Lambeth Council in the UK, have implemented a “hot-desk” setup, where staff regularly visit different workplaces. Flexible equipment has fully adjustable chairs and PCs on movable arms.
However, employees may forget to make necessary adjustments for comfort. Active learning on maintaining good posture and taking regular breaks is key to addressing this issue.
After all, our bodies are made for moving, not sitting for long periods of time. Whether investing in a sit-stand desk or opting for the stairs over the lift, incorporating regular physical activity into our daily lives is vital to our overall health and well-being.