As accountants chances are that you spend a considerable part of your day sitting in your chair. Research from Loughborough University has found that the average person spends 65% of their waking hours sitting down.
While it may be comfortable and the most conducive position to do your work, according to research by the NHS, spending too long on your sitting down can negatively impact your health, increasing your chance of developing type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.
We’re concerned about you lovely lot, and would love to know what you do while working to get your blood moving.
If not, and if you were unaware of the risks of prolonged sitting, why not try a little exercise – it can be as simple as stretching or taking a walk on your lunch break – and let us know how it went.
Replies (20)
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Links?
As you are citing research, it would be nice to have links. Presumably the NHS research includes suggestions to address the issue which could be useful.
Vexation
Nothing kickstarts my pulmonary system quicker than somebody asking a downright daft question!
You would not know though, because of my mild-mannered nature.
Another thing that gets on my [***] are people in the office standing up every hour because their watch "tells them to!" It is lucky that I am unarmed.
Standing up desk and treadmill
Works for me
I started standing all day before Christmas, treadmill in January
I used to do 2 to 3,000 steps a day in the week now it's 10,000 every day except when I cycle to work
I read somewhere..
that it's oftenm about the little things - make your own brews position the printer/fax/shredder etc so that you have to walk to them to use them - that way you are up and moving about regularly
The benefit of working from home
I sit by my back door, open all summer, and the moment I see a bloom that needs snipping, washing that needs bringing in or bird feeders that are empty, I'm off down the garden.
In bad weather I have a wonderful water rower a few feet away (anyone know how it works?) but in all weathers my most effective de-stresser is Franky the Border Terrier.
Funny that after nearly 40 years in the business I should see the above as the summit of all my efforts.
The links
Any chance of links to the research now. Because if it turns out it actually says that getting up from my desk is what is really killing me then I shall be most upset. :-)Thank you for your responses. It's good to hear how many of you have 'ditched the desk' and are moving around during your working day.
Set number
Your heart only has a set number of beats and once you've used them all, you die.
go on then
Your heart only has a set number of beats and once you've used them all, you die.
Tell us the number.
So far
Your heart only has a set number of beats and once you've used them all, you die.
Tell us the number.
How many are you up to so far ?
Fag Breaks???
Surely the obviously answer is regular fag breaks - up from the desk every hour - walking all the way outside and standing/pacing for 5 mins then walk all the way back & repeat in an hour - it's the way forward obviously!!
Too much
Surely the obviously answer is regular fag breaks - up from the desk every hour - walking all the way outside and standing/pacing for 5 mins then walk all the way back & repeat in an hour - it's the way forward obviously!!
Over exercising can be bad for your health.
Fag breaks
Surely the obviously answer is regular fag breaks
I used to have regular fag breaks until I got nicked for cottaging.
What do you do while working to get your blood circulating?
These days, either read one of these threads or, if I'm really searching for humour an FT question.
Sad to say, I think we're in real danger of losing our way here?
Like similar threads, this isn't one for this forum, in my humble opinion. But, there again, what do I know?
@Paul and other nature watchers
Seems to me the Butterfly count would be a good place to start.
How many have you got to so far - and how do you know it's not just the same butterfly going round in circles?
I sat down at a desk for around 20 years but
but I then found that I couldn't sit down any more as I got a severe pain in my neck and shoulder. I was obviously very worried and so I raised my keyboard and monitor and started working standing up. At first, I got pains in my legs as I wasn't used to standing up for long periods but I have now been doing it for over 5 years and don't even notice that I am standing up. I try to walk on the spot as much as possible especially when I am reading (as it is difficult to type when you are moving).
Good for you
Samantha20, I also find when I'm out and about standing is easy as I'm used to it, good for exhibitions and airports.
I'm OK with typing walking on the treadmill, I have a padded wrist rest that helps keep my forearms still. Phone calls are OK, I've used a headset for years to keep my hands free, unless I have the speed too high then the other party can hear my breathing.
I used to suffer with back pain sitting at a desk, too much rugby many years ago, thats gone now and I only get it in the car.