Coach Presents: Seven Ways Your Desk Job is Effecting Your Health
We are all spending far too much time sitting. Sitting at work at our desks in front of the computer, sitting on our way home from work on our commutes in traffic, all this just to sludge through the front door and plop down on the couch to sit and watch TV. All of this sitting, and this ever increasing sedentary lifestyle is affecting your health in a negative way. Below are seven ways sitting at your desk is affecting your health.
- Poor posture while sitting can lead to musculoskeletal pain. Sitting improperly, or slouching while sitting can cause fatigue and eventually lead to lower back pain or neck problems. If you are required at work to sit for long periods you should get a support that allows you to straighten your poor posture. If not, you are contributing to future chronic problems like bursitis and arthritis.
- Staring at a computer screen for far too long. The eye strain from staring over long periods of time can cause harm to your vision. You can also experience headaches and migraines from gazing at the screen for long periods of time.
- Breathing problems have been associated with poor posture. Poor posture can cause many issues if not corrected. Poor posture limits the ability of the lungs to expand and receive oxygen intake, which results in fatigue…and fatigue leads to more poor posture. It’s an endless circle.
- Neck pain is attributed to poor posture and sitting too long. Neck pain often times can lead to headaches, and improper curvature in the spine and lower neck. It is even possible to end up with a hump on your back, or appear to be hunched over all the time.
- Desk jobs and sitting too long can lead to excessive weight gain. Weight gain and obesity are just two of the health issues associated with sitting all day at a job.
- Long hours while remaining seated is often associated with poor blood circulation in your legs. This poor circulation can lead to varicose veins and swollen ankles according to numerous studies.
- Sitting for lengthy periods can lead to an early death. Finally, all this sitting can lead to more than just aches and pains. You will be at a higher risk of muscular skeletal disorders, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease if you don’t take time during the day to get up and get moving.
While these facts can be scary and a little overwhelming, you can make a few simple changes in your routine. Make sure to get up during the day, walk around the office, get your blood moving and you will see you will start feel better!
~Sean Hogan has coached hockey at the international and collegiate levels for over ten years. He has spoken at numerous events about culture building, goal setting and healthy lifestyles. He holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Recreation and Sports Science with an emphasis on Coaching Education from OHIO University.