The Desk Jockey’s Dilemma / Blogs / Perficient

In the age of remote work and digital connectivity, our workdays have become synonymous with long hours spent sitting at our home office desks. While the convenience of working from home has its perks, the sedentary nature of this lifestyle can take a toll on our health and well-being. In this blog post, we’ll explore why it’s essential to stay active while working from home and share some easy ways to keep those steps ticking throughout the day.

1. The Perils of Prolonged Sitting

Sitting for extended periods has been linked to a range of health issues, including obesity and cardiovascular problems. The human body is great, but we were not made to sit (or even stand) for prolonged periods of time. Here’s why you should be concerned:

• Back Pain and Posture Problems: Hours of sitting can lead to poor posture and damage spinal structures.
• Weight Gain: A lack of physical activity throughout the day can contribute to weight gain and an increased risk of obesity.
• Reduced Cardiovascular Health: Sitting for extended periods can lead to higher blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels, and an elevated risk of heart disease.

2. Easy Ways to Stay Active

There is good news! There are simple ways to stay active and mitigate the effects of prolonged sitting, even when working from home:

• Frequent Breaks: Schedule short breaks every hour to stand up, stretch, and walk around. Use these times to refill your water bottle or do quick tasks around the house while working from home.
• Desk Exercises: Incorporate desk exercises into your routine, like seated leg lifts, shoulder rolls, and wrist stretches.
• Walking Meetings: Whenever possible, opt for walking meetings or phone calls. They not only get you moving but also stimulate creativity and productivity. Take that morning standup call while on a morning walk!
• Use a Standing Desk: Consider investing in a standing desk or a desk converter that allows you to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day. Though the research is early, standing desks can have impressive benefits to your health.
• Get a Walking Treadmill: If you want to go above and beyond, invest in a walking treadmill to accompany your standing desk. This is a great way to get your steps in and burn calories throughout your work day.

3. Everyday Activity

While we’ve discussed the significance of staying active during work hours, it’s crucial to emphasize how important daily physical activity is. Countering the effects of sitting for prolonged periods is important. However, the best way to nurture your overall well-being is by incorporating movement into your day.

• Physical Health Benefits: Regular physical activity helps regulate body weight and supports a balanced metabolism, reducing the risk of obesity.
• Stronger Immunity: Engaging in regular exercise has been shown to boost the immune system, making your body more resilient to infections and illnesses.
• Mental and Emotional Well-Being: Physical activity triggers the release of endorphins, natural chemicals that reduce your stress and anxiety levels. This can improve cognitive function, increase creativity, and boost memory.

In conclusion, the key to a healthy and balanced work-from-home lifestyle is staying active in whatever way you can. Don’t think that you have to go and order a standing desk and treadmill from Amazon right now. The most important part of living a healthier life is staying active in whatever way works for you. Prioritize movement, incorporate exercise into your routine, and stay active outside of work hours to further boost your health. Create a good routine and stick to it!