Research has found that standing desks and treadmill desks do nothing for us. “What we actually found is that most of it is, very much, just fashionable and not proven good for your health,” says Dr. Jos Verbeek of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.
Other professionals question the notion of standing all day versus sitting all day too. “If what you’re doing is replacing sitting with standing, you’re not actually doing your body any favors,” says Alan Hedge from Cornell University. If this all seems pretty exasperating, it’s because it is. How are we to keep our fitness up when so much of our work life is spent in a sedentary state? Here are a few ideas, presented in partnership with Robax.
Bring a yoga ball to work and swap it out for your chair
Sitting on a yoga ball will improve your posture by forcing you to sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor (and in a position that puts less stress on your back). As an added bonus, sitting on a yoga ball will help tone your abs and generally strengthen your core in the process.
Dedicate time to walking breaks, even if all you can manage to do is some general in-office strolling
Sitting for long periods of time is inherently unhealthy for a whole bunch of reasons. It slows down your brain, puts undue stress on your internal organs and potentially leads to anxiety. Movement of any form jumpstarts the body and brain, telling each that it’s time to work again. Scheduling regular breaks to simply move about is both easy and important to do.
Doing some light stretching could make a big difference in your life
Your hip flexors, specifically, get tight from prolonged sitting and can cause you serious pain. Stretching your hip flexors at least once a day should be on your to-do list. So too should learning and doing some basic yoga stretches.
Robax not only stops pain but also reduces back spasms by relaxing tight muscles. We have your back.
This article may contain information related to exercise and fitness and/or general wellness information. It is not intended as a substitute of any kind for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of a qualified professional as required. Speak to your healthcare professional before making any changes to your lifestyle, or beginning or discontinuing any course of treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.