I hope you’re standing as you read this: Long hours sitting at your desk can kill you – EVEN IF you’re lean and you exercise regularly.
That’s a bummer (pun intended) when it comes to writing – or doing any desk work. A recent article in Men’s Health (“Why your desk job is slowly killing you”) cites numerous studies showing that sitting is an independent risk factor for heart disease. Here’s what stood out most to me:
- A study of 17‚000 people found that those who sat for most of the day were 54 per cent more likely to die from heart disease‚ irrespective of their weight or how often they exercised.
- Even if you exercise for 45 minutes five times a week‚ you’re still classified as “sedentary” if you work a 60-hour week at a desk.
- We have a heart-disease-causing gene in our bodies that doesn’t respond to ANY amount of exercise‚ yet is activated (made worse) by sitting for as little as 45 minutes.
Take a stand
So should you ask for “danger” money because you’re always writing at work? Maybe not. The answer could simply be to STAND more.
Standing chews up as much as 50 per cent more calories than sitting‚ and has several other benefits, like helping to avoid neck and back pain.
Naturally you can’t just stand all day and be healthy. Regular exercise is crucial. But if you’re on your butt a lot‚ here’s how you can stand more to avoid your murderous chair:
- Stand up when talking on the phone.
- Do your brainstorming and research standing up.
- Can you raise your desk so you can stand and work? Some desks are adjustable. (Furniture designers: Give us a jack so we can raise and lower our desks!)
- If you use a laptop, three-drawer filing cabinets are a good height to stand and work from.
- Hold “stand-up” meetings. Added upside: Your meetings may be shorter!
- Better still, if you’re only meeting one or two others, have a “walkie-talkie” meeting‚ where you walk and talk. Walking could even give you better ideas (it activates your brain differently).
Can you think of more ways to get people out of their chairs? Help us live longer and share your thoughts below!
P.S. Here are some “standing desks” — some even come with treadmills or exercise bikes!
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/stand-up-while-you-read-this/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ario/1748276967/#/
http://unclutterer.com/2011/04/29/workspace-of-the-week-standing-desk-in-a-cubicle/