Finding yourself in a slump at work? How about slumping over your work? Sitting Disease is a serious health hazards for millions of office workers across the globe, inflating the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and other long-term health issues.
In addition to theses very serious health complications, Sitting Disease also impacts your body and quality of life in a multitude of subtle, easy-to-ignore ways! Slouching, lethargy, repetitive use injuries, and restlessness are nothing to yawn at; these are early warning signs of Sitting Disease and they affect your work and mood. Looking for an easy way to combat these dull downers? Stand up and move!
Quality of life, quality of work
If you strive for excellence and creativity, yet find yourself lacking the energy and motivation to complete your tasks, you’re likely suffering from lack of movement and decreased circulation. Studies show your body’s heart rate drops while you’re in a seated position, meaning your muscles and brain experience a longer lag time between replenishment of oxygen levels. The result? Your body is more likely to feel tired, and your mind is more likely to be lethargic. Taking frequent breaks to walk, stretch, and problem solve with teammates are integral parts of keeping your body engaged and your mind active throughout the workday.
What if you flipped the time you spend moving and the time you spent sitting?
That’s exactly what a Xdesk is designed to do. While standing, your entire body is engaged in keeping yourself straight, upright, and in one position. Your heart rate and circulation increases, resulting in improved body and brain function. People who spend at least two and a half of their workday hours standing and moving experience less fatigue, better cognitive functioning, and increased efficiency!
Resist the urge to slouch!
Have you been experiencing aches and pain in your neck, lower back, and hips? It may not be your body getting older – it may just be the way you’re sitting. While sitting in a traditional office chair, your shoulders and neck automatically lean forward, throwing your spine and head out of alignment. The muscles typically used to keep yourself straight and aligned when standing grow weak from misuse, while muscles in the lower back and hips hyperextend and tighten. No wonder they hurt at the end of a long day of sitting at your desk! After months and years of sitting in the position on the same chair for eight (or more!) hours a day, hyperextension and muscle weakness leads to repetitive use injuries, requiring serious physical therapy and rest for any hope of recovery.
When you finally stand and move around, weakened muscles in your shoulders and chest must work harder to form a proper, healthy posture. In short, it feels uncomfortable to stand up straight! An unattractive slouch becomes the body’s default. Conveying the confidence and vitality associated with good posture is important at work and at home – people pay more attention to someone who looks well rested and confident!
