The Dangers of Sitting at Work & How a Virtual Office Space in Washington, DC, Can Help

This past month, Metro Offices dedicated a special day to breast cancer awareness.  As a company, our employees are becoming more and more passionate about our health and the need to choose healthier options through awareness. Healthy lifestyle options confront each of us daily, and the workplace is no exception.

At home, we’re all familiar with the term “couch potato,” but did you know that sitting for long periods of time at work is equally unhealthy? According to Kamron Kunce, Director of Community Relations at UpDesk, sitting has become the new smoking! Sitting for long periods of time has been linked to a number of health problems including obesity, higher blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels and high blood sugar. A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology also indicates that too much sitting increases the risk of death from heart-related disease and cancer.

Since most of us are tied to jobs that involve periods of sitting, what are our options to improve our health at work? Here are a few ideas to consider.

  • Take breaks from your desk. Stand while talking on the phone or eating lunch, or walk down the hall to speak with a colleague instead of calling. Try not to sit for more than an hour without a break.
  • Try a standing desk arrangement. If you work at a desk, rotate your traditional desk with a standing desk, or try a high table or counter. Standing for at least half of workday keeps muscles engaged and burns more calories.
  • Get a move on at work. Consider walking while discussing business with colleagues rather than gathering in a meeting room. Or take a short walk on your own to get your blood circulating and enjoy fresh air.
  • Embrace a mobile workplace option. If you work from home, incorporate an additional office solution such as a hot desk, flex desk or Metro Access membership to add variety and movement to your schedule.

For information about Metro Offices’ virtual office space in Washington, DC, or any of our other office solutions, contact our Sales Department at (800) 877-9788. Let’s get moving together!

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