Don’t just sit there

Lack of physical movement during the day causes severe health issues and, ultimately it is a productivity killer. Sitting for a long time not only strains your back and neck but also leads to obesity and raises the risk of various ailments, according to Dr Saleh al Hinai, Senior Consultant, Family Medicine Physician. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology indicated that women who sit for more than 10 hours a day have a considerably higher risk of heart disease than women who sit for less than five hours a day.

Standing position lowers these risks and alleviates pain, Al Hinai indicated. “By standing, you burn more calories than sitting. Standing burns between 100 and 200 calories per hour, while sitting burns between 60 and 130. However, the calories burned might mount up over time.”

A high sit-stand desk encouraged workers to spend more time on their feet, according to an analysis of 53 studies published in Applied Ergonomics journal. Researchers in the United Kingdom discovered that standing for one hour increased productivity and revitalised 87 per cent of workers. Using a high sit-stand desk might help achieve proper posture. Ideally, the display should be at eye level, around 50 cm from your face and tilted 20 degrees, with your arms bent at 100 degrees at your sides. The wrists should be comfortably hovering above the keyboard, with the weight distributed evenly between the legs.

When people sit for an extended period, their blood may slow down and pool in their legs. In the worst-case scenario, this can result in a blood clot. We move our legs as we stand, which causes blood to flow throughout our bodies. People who sat for long periods had shorter lives in certain studies due to lower cardiovascular health.

Standing can help you focus and boost your mood, making you more productive. Workers in a call centre who stood at work were 50 per cent more productive, according to a University of Texas study.

Standing makes us feel healthier, and feeling better makes us happier.

Sitting, like standing, may cause back pain, but it’s not something you have to live with or accept as part of your job.

“You can usually treat minor back discomfort if you have a comfortable chair with back support and alternate intervals of standing,” Al Hinai advised.

Our current technologically-focused environment allows us to become inactive quickly. However, technology can also motivate us to better our health by increasing access to physical therapy and telemedicine and even assisting us in staying on top of our prescriptions and managing diabetes.

The development of smartwatches is transforming healthcare in an entirely new way, allowing us to control our physical and mental well-being from the palm of our hands. To encourage an active lifestyle, smartwatches give subtle reminders when you’ve been inactive.