Caution for OL: What are the risks of sitting too much?

Sitting inside an air-conditioned office is so comfortable that we enjoy the refreshing cool temperature even when the weather is hot out there. However, researchers have linked sitting for long periods of time with several number of health concerns, including obesity (notice that office lady? You’re gaining weight gradually and unconsciously) and metabolic syndrome (including 4-high: high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, high body fat). It could also bring back problem if the chair or your sitting position is not correct.

Here are some workouts for you during working hours.

(a)    Look for opportunity to stand

You’ll burn more calories standing than sitting. Stand for 45 minutes after lunch helps to burn out unwanted calories.

(b)   Practice fitness breaks

Rather than having snacks in the café during short breaks, you can do some simple stretching exercises. For example, while standing, grab one of your ankles and bring it up to your hips. Hold each stretch for 30 seconds.

(c)    Change your office chair to a fitness ball

If your office is spacious enough, try to trade your office chair to a fitness ball. You will improve your balance and tone your core muscles while sitting at your desk. You can even use it for some other workplace exercise during the day.

(d)   Get social

Try to avoid using inter-com or instant messaging while you want to pass a message to your colleagues. Walk to them.

(e)   Store some fitness equipment in your office

Keep the resistance cords that offer weight-like resistance when you pull on them. The Chinese traditional scrapping would be the best recommended exercise by scrapping the body muscles to relief muscle tension and to smooth the blood vessels.

Information retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/HealthyLivingIndex/HealthyLivingIndex