Every now and then I see a link to something posted on Twitter or Facebook that really sticks in my head and I can’t stop thinking about it. In the past two days, I’ve clicked on two separate links warning those of of with desk jobs and sedentary work environments of the health risks we are facing, whether we realize it or not. Then, today my coworker sent me a third. Ok, scary warning articles, you have my attention!
This article from Mashable explains that just 50 years ago, nearly half of the population held jobs that required physical labor, however now only 20% of jobs are active and physical. The past 50 years have allowed researches to study the effects of sitting for hours at a time on health and wellness and the results of these studies, well, they are disturbing. Some of the effects of desk jobs include:
- Eye and vision problems (75% of workers experience this)
- Risk of heart disease doubles
- The rate at which the body burns calories reduces to 1 per minute
- Electrical activity in the legs ceases, causing at reducing enzymes to drop off by 90%
- Obesity – between 1980 and 2000 the amount of time people spent at sitting increased by 8% and the obesity rate DOUBLED
- Back and neck strain is another risk, sit hunched over and you’re 40% more likely to DIE in the next 15 years!
- When sitting for long periods, both good cholesterol and insulin levels drop dramatically
So, are you freaked out yet? According to Mashable you should take every opportunity to get up, stretch and move around to prevent the full effect of long hours of sitting on the job. Stop emailing your coworkers and get up and talk to them. Once you’re home, don’t veg out in front of the t.v. — get moving and combat that harmful effects of your working style.
For more info, check out the following links:
http://dailyinfographic.com/sitting-down-is-killing-you-infographic
http://mashable.com/2012/03/02/work-death-infographic/
http://mashable.com/2012/07/10/treadmill-desk-review/
[featured images via smallstepstohealth and thetimesofindia]
It’s really scary that our lives have gotten so sedentary, and because for so many of us it’s our livelihood it doesn’t empower people to have active lifestyles because it can be just as exhausting to sit in front of a computer all day as it is to be on your feet all day- not exactly conducive to wanting to go out and go for a walk after work.
Hello, just wanted to mention, I enjoyed this post.
It was practical. Keep on posting!