Why It’s Important To Stay Active In The Workplace

Approximately 23 percent of Americans say that they don’t get regular physical activity outside of their jobs. If you’re on your feet and moving your body as part of your occupation, you might get enough exercise. However, most office workers are sedentary. You might get up to walk to the water cooler or bathroom, but you should be moving more than that.

How Much Physical Activity Do Adults Need?

According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, adults should get between 150 and 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise every week. They should also do strength-training exercises that involve the major muscle groups at least two days a week.

Additionally, approximately 50 percent of Americans have a preventable long-term disease. Even though physical activity can reduce the incidence of illness and improve symptoms of many chronic ailments, 80 percent of adults in the U.S. aren’t meeting physical activity guidelines. A sedentary workforce contributes to high healthcare costs. Employees who don’t get enough exercise may take more sick days and increase their risk of premature death.

Do You Have to Perform Dedicated Workouts?

You might not have time to head to the gym or go for a run every day. Americans work more hours than people in other developed economies. Still, some want to work harder. If you’re one of those people, how can you fit in time to work out?

Sitting less and moving more is the key to maintaining health and function even if you have a busy lifestyle. People who sit too much have an increased risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

How to Sit Less at Work

The most obvious way to stay moving while you work is to remove your desk chair. Commercial office furniture trends are shifting; alternative office workstations are becoming more accepted.

Standing desks and open plan workstations encourage workers to stay out of their seats. They create a dynamic space that promotes movement. Instead of using the intercom to phone colleagues, talk to them in person. Creating a designated meeting space facilitates communication and invites people to get out of their cubicles and change their environment.

You can also incorporate real exercise in your workday. Keep weights under your desk to do strength training while you’re on hold with clients. You can even get the whole office involved. If you have an open design in your office, you can keep tabs on your peers and hold each other accountable.

Walking during your breaks is another way to get more daily aerobic activity. If you take two 15-minute walks every day and work five days a week, you will meet the minimum activity guidelines for an American adult.

Once you set an intention to stay active in the workplace, you’ll notice that it’s easier than you expected. If you’re not sure that your office environment is conducive to maintaining energetic employees, contact us to find out how our office design services can enhance personal wellness and improve productivity.