Keep On Moving: How To Avoid A Day Of ‘Just Sitting’ In The Office

We were shocked to learn in May that Irish teenage girls spend an average of 19 hours a day sitting or lying down.

The research, carried out at the University of Limerick, has put facts on what we all know already, we sit too much.

Add a few small habits to your day and tweak a few changes… it is the incidental exercise, the few small changes you make to your daily routine, that result in big differences.

Talk And Walk

Invest in a quality headset so you can be more mobile when you chat, especially in the office. Even if you stand while you’re on the phone, you’ll naturally shift from leg to leg.

Post-Meal Stroll

Take a quick walk after your meals. The fat levels in your bloodstream are highest after eating, and simply moving around afterward increases the activity of lipoprotein lipase, which spurs your metabolism. Simples.

Opt For The Bar Seat

You're heading out for a drink after work and you're dreading the fact that you'll be sitting down on a chair once again. What to do? Sit on the front third of the barstool, spread your feet just wider than hip distance so they're supporting a fair bit of your weight, and gently roll your hips forward, arching your back slightly. This position is called "perching", perfect for maintaining an S-shape in your spine and distributing your weight more evenly. It is far better for your back than slouching into yet another soft couch.

Do Stuff In Person

Instead of emailing your colleague, stroll over to her desk. You can work and walk and it’s great to walk more during your day at the office.

Create A Space

Arrange your desk so you have to rotate between different positions throughout the day. Create an area where you can stand while doing work as well as sitting on your desk chair.