With health experts now telling us "sitting is the new smoking"
the office world has been thrown into a state of panic. It seems
that every day we're told something else we're doing will shorten
our lives, but this one does unfortunately seem to make a lot of
sense. We know that we need to exercise regularly in order to stay
fit and healthy, so staying on our posteriors for two thirds of our
lives can't be good. Sitting for prolonged periods doesn't just
contribute to weight gain and ailments like varicose veins and back
problems; it can lead to other more serious issues including
depression, colon cancer, deep vein thrombosis and dementia.

According to Kevin Bradley of Get Britain Standing, the moment
we sit down the electricity in our leg muscles shuts down, fat
burning enzymes decrease by 90% and we only use up one calorie a
minute. Sit for 24 hours and insulin stops doing its job properly
(dropping by 24%), dramatically increasing the risk of diabetes.
Whilst doing the recommended 30 mins a day exercise will help, it
certainly won't eliminate the risk of these scary illnesses- so
what are all the office workers, factory operatives, sewers,
artists, writers and numerous other people whose jobs involve
prolonged amounts of sitting supposed to do?

Victoria Beckham was recently spotted using a treadmill at her
desk instead of a chair- fantastic for those of us who have a
couple of thousand to spend, but not really a viable option for
most businesses. A report commissioned by the Australian government
came up with a few more practical solutions for managers to
implement in the workplace:

- Increase breaks from sitting
- Implement training and strategies about posture
- Focus on ergonomic changes to staff work stations
- Alter the design of the workplace to allow for free walkways and
exercise areas
- A combination of all the above

If your business has the resources and capacity to install a gym
and have lunchtime exercise classes, that's great. If you don't,
encouraging your more sedentary workers to take regular breaks
where they have a short walk will be a big help- not just for their
health, but for their productivity. Exercise sparks our brains as
well as our bodies and you may notice a big difference, especially
during mid-afternoon when energy dips are common.

For more information about how to keep your workforce healthy,
 go to http://www.hse.gov.uk or
contact your local Health and Safety provider.

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