Why is sitting bad for you?

Why is Sitting Bad for You

Employers are becoming far more enlightened with regard to health and well being in the work place. In a previous blog we looked at how productivity can be negatively effected by staff who suffer continual discomfort at work. This could mean they will eventually become less motivated, lose morale and may even become unable to work due to sickness.

However, for many employees, sitting is necessary for long periods of time at work. Research suggests that people sit at least 9 hours a day which is, more often than not, more than they sleep. Sitting is a hard habit to break, especially if your work involves computer based activity.

Why is sitting bad for you?

Sitting is second nature to us, it has become a default human body posture. Whether we are working, meeting friends, travelling, studying or simply relaxing, we tend to do all of these in a seated position. Sedentary lifestyles are at an all time high.

Let us take a look at the issues you could have from prolonged periods of time sitting:

Skeleton Indicating Health Issues While Sitting

Head and Back Issues

  • Foggy brain

  • Strained neck

  • Sore shoulders and back

  • Inflexible spine

  • Spinal disk problems

Organ Damage

  • Heart disease

  • Over productive pancreas

  • Colon cancer

Metabolic Damage

  • Reduced enzyme function

  • Reduced thermogenesis ad caloric expenditure

Muscle Degeneration

  • Weak abdominal muscles

  • Tight hips

  • Limp glutes

Leg Disorders

  • Poor circulation in legs

  • Soft bones

What is the Answer?

Understandably. several studies confirm that being more active during working hours leads to better health conditions.

Orangebox Smart Working Environment

Orangebox Smart Working Environment

Many employers see the benefits of providing more flexible working environments for their staff which promotes more daily activity. Smart working office designs incorporate different areas for people to choose how to work according to their required work activities. Such as, combining benches with high desks allowing people to change their posture and more relaxed meeting areas allowing staff to either sit of stand.

Of course, for those periods of time where sitting is essential, a good ergonomic chair can encourage micro movements of the pelvis when sitting for longer periods which can nurture and support the spine.

Aircare Systems understand the importance of staff comfort in the workplace and have developed and manufactured world leading, bespoke, dynamic seating technology for a large range of clients globally.

If you are a designer or manufacturer of task chairs and want to find out more about how we can help you create ergonomic, dynamic seating contact us now by clicking here, we look forward to hearing from you.