by Gemma Delaney

While we all thoroughly enjoy the satisfaction of a productive day, the unfortunate reality is that it comes with a hefty price tag. Our gravitation towards sedentism, particularly in the context of our desk-bound jobs, is posing a myriad of chronic health challenges. With remote working tacking an extra two hours onto our daily sitting stint, it’s time we reassessed our habitual immobility and took some action.
It’s well-documented that adopting a sedentary lifestyle can severely increment the risk of chronic illnesses. Recent studies demonstrate an alarming link between prolonged sitting and an increased risk of diseases like cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, cancer, and even depression, according to wellness expert Melanie Blanche, courtesy of the VirtuaWell online wellness platform.
Frighteningly, the numbers don’t get better for breast cancer, with recent studies showing that sitting for extended periods could increase your risk by a staggering 104 percent. So let’s delve into the specifics – how is all this sitting taking a toll on your health, and what can we do to mitigate its harmful effects?

Unveiling The Perils of Prolonged Sitting

1. Musculoskeletal degeneration: If you’ve been noticing a few aches and twinges here and there after a long day at your desk, don’t take it lightly – there’s more to it than meets the eye. Wellness trainer and movement specialist Anthony Simmons explains, “Prolonged sitting encourages certain muscles to disengage while overexerting others, leading to musculoskeletal imbalances.”

2. Rising Blood Sugar Levels: Staying active helps manage blood glucose levels effectively. However, prolonged inactivity does quite the opposite. Blanche warns, “Periods of inactivity can lead to elevated blood glucose levels, insulin resistance, and subsequently, a higher risk for type-2 diabetes.”

3. High Heart Disease Risk: Sitting for extended periods may also elevate your risk of heart disease. Blanche adds, “Inactive individuals often develop an impaired fat metabolism, a crucial warning sign for atherosclerosis.”

4. Increased Incidence of Cancer: The risk of various types of cancer has been linked with sedentary lifestyles. “Current statistics reveal a 54 per cent increase in lung cancer, 66 per cent in uterine cancer, and 30 per cent increase in colon cancer,” confirms Simmons.

5. Brain Health: Still not profound enough? Well, prolonged sitting can also lead to neurocognitive decline. Keep in mind that several of these scary health outcomes from sitting all day are preventable with regular movement and activity.

Precautionary Measures Against Sedentary Workstyle

Is a Standing Desk the Solution?

Sit-stand desks have been quite the rage aiming to counter the effects of prolonged sitting. These were reported to boost productivity by 23 percent in the first month, rising to 53 percent over six months. But every coin has two sides, and long hours of standing too come with a similar risk to heart health.

So what’s the best way to counteract these hazardous effects of sedentary work?

Alternate between sitting and standing, and make an effort to keep moving throughout the day. Utilize simple under-desk exercising tools if you have access to them. On top of that, considered incorporating a consistent movement schedule into your work routine. Lastly, make sure to take breaks and perform simple stretches periodically throughout the day to keep muscles engaged and blood circulating efficiently.

Keeping Active At Your Desk

Here are some quick and accessible desk exercises to keep you moving:
– Try a pistol squat when you’re standing up from your chair. This simple exercise engages your leg and glute muscles, amongst others.
– Keep your spine moving. Sitting down for prolonged periods can cause stiffness in your spine.
– Make sure to periodically get up and move around. This simple act not only breaks the cycle of sitting but also promotes circulation and muscular engagement.
With this newfound information, let’s make it a point to balance our work along with our physical health and break the shackles of a sedentary workstyle!
Desk job health hazards, sedentary lifestyle dangers, standing desk benefits, desk exercises