You’ve probably seen the news that too much chair time can be bad for your health. But It turns out, it’s not just sitting that’s the new smoking. A recent study reveals standing up may not be any better for you. Which means that standing workstation you’ve been thinking about using probably won’t do much to offset the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
“Standing desks have become the new black,” says Katy Bowman, author of Don’t Just Sit There. “But we’re missing the fact that it’s being stationary—sitting or standing—that’s the real problem. People need to move more!”
If your daily routine involves sitting at a desk with a few bouts of standing for eight hours, and occasionally squeezing in a brief gym visit, it’s time to get up and move! Not just during your workout, but throughout the day. In fact, research suggests adding just two minutes of walking for each hour you sit, in combination with 2.5 hours of moderate exercise each week, could be enough to increase your life expectancy.
Need a push to move more during the day? Here are four ways to get up and start racking up steps:
- Try a walking meeting: Step away from the conference room, literally. Turning your meeting into a walking session will not only crank up your step count, you’ll get some energy-boosting fresh air, too.
- Move in place: You don’t need to leave your desk to incorporate activity into the workday. Loosen up your muscles and ease the tension with a series of simple stretches or movements that don’t require a lot of space.
- Make your coffee break to go: Instead of grabbing a cup of Joe from the break room, head out to a coffee shop located a few minutes walking distance away. Bring your own mug along and you might be able to snag a discount! Better still: Fill up a travel mug with the office brew and hit the pavement for a quick stroll.
- Get up to talk: Instead of pinging your co-worker with an email, instant message, or phone call, move your feet! It’ll feel good to use your legs and get some real face-time with a colleague.
Want to bring more great health tips to the office? Learn how Fitbit Wellness can help your company develop a successful wellness program, create engaging challenges, and improve employee health.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.
Emma Leyton
Emma Leyton spreads the word about healthy living for Fitbit Group Health. A lover of all things related to health and wellness, Emma has a passion for workplace wellbeing and how it positively impacts peoples’ lives. You can find her commuting everywhere by foot, running the hills of San Francisco, roasting brussels sprouts in her oven, and blending smoothies in her Vitamix.
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