Work-related ailments are not just limited to construction or heavy manufacturing—they may also arise in less active environments, such as office spaces. This problem emerges because most office jobs require employees to sit and use their laptops for eight or more hours, which may lead to sitting disease.

Students busy studying and working on projects, like working individuals, may also be stuck in a particular position for long periods and experience sitting disease.

In this article, we will be explaining sitting disease and how you can combat it. 

What is sitting disease?

Sitting disease is a condition that results from sedentary behaviour with associated harmful health effects.

Some of these health effects include:

• Poor blood circulation throughout the body leads to blood clots.
• Increased stress levels and blood pressure.
• Anxiety and depression.
• Spine damage due to prolonged sitting.
• Stiff neck and shoulder pains.
• Increased risk of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

One common misconception surrounding this disease is that you will not be at risk if you’re active. Unfortunately, as long as you have a sedentary life outside of exercising, you may experience sitting disease. A workout cannot negate the effects of sitting for eight hours.

To reduce your risk of contracting sitting disease, here are some tips you can follow: 

1. Stretch at your workstation

You should stretch for at least 5 minutes for every hour of sitting. Stretching improves your posture as it lengthens the tight muscles, alleviating stiffness, discomfort, and pain. It is also refreshing and helps to raise your heart rate, which increases your productivity.

There are many simple exercises you can do at your table that can prevent your muscles from feeling sore and stiff.

2. Use a break time reminder

It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re in the zone. However, your body is not designed to stay in one position for a long time and will cramp if you go too long without stretching.

Thus, it helps to set a reminder on your phone or computer that goes off every half an hour. This reminder may prompt you to stand up, stretch, or walk over to the pantry to grab a snack or beverage.

Hence, you can consider getting a height-adjustable desk, such as FORTE II Electric Desk, that allows you to switch between the two positions seamlessly.

3. Take your calls in a standing position

Switching from sitting to standing helps optimise your body’s metabolism. It also facilitates blood flow as your heart and circulatory system have to counter the effects of gravity, thus providing more oxygen to the brain.

Using your phone while standing is a simple way to stretch your muscles and reduce fatigue at the end of your day.

4. Make small changes

Combating sitting disease involves making little changes to your lifestyle. For example, you could park your car a greater distance from the office or stand on the bus and train. While studying or working, you could use the bathroom or water dispenser further away.

Because the body is designed to move, you will feel much better physically and mentally. Small exercises don’t just reduce body aches, but they are also great ways to reduce stress and clear your mind. 

Conclusion

If you live a sedentary lifestyle, you may be at risk for sitting disease, which affects your mental and physical health. Hence, it is crucial to break long periods of sitting with stretches or walks. It also helps to invest in ergonomic chairs and tables.

If you’re looking for an ergonomic study table in Singapore, check out TakeASeat. You can look through our online store at https://www.takeaseat.sg/ or visit our physical stores. We have a North furniture shop at Woodlands and an East furniture shop at Ubi.