HIDDEN RISKS OF SITTING FOR HOURS EVERY DAY IN THE OFFICE
Michael Huggan
The industrial revolution of the 19th century led to many companies growing exponentially, increasing revenue and paperwork. The owners of these businesses started to employ large quantities of a new category of worker to manage all this paperwork; entire floors and buildings were dedicated to house these workers in confined spaces called offices.
Over time, more and more people were drawn to them because they were seen as profitable jobs with perceived esteem. These jobs reduce work-related accidents; however, the office worker was faced with new dangers. It would take some time before researchers identified these risks.
In the 1950s, the number of office jobs increased by 83% while physically active jobs plummeted by 50% to less than 20% today. The average human sits between six and 10 hours per day, most of which takes place at work. This occupation puts the individual at a 16% risk of death from any cause and a 34% higher risk of cardiovascular disease-related death, compared to those who have less sedentary jobs.
HOW DOES PROLONGED SITTING AFFECT THE BODY?
Sitting in itself is a welcome break, so why can it be so problematic? Sitting jobs require less muscular effort, so when you sit for long periods of time, blood can start to pool in your legs because gravity pulls blood downward, and your calf muscles,s which normally act as a “pump” to push blood back up to the heart, are inactive. This lack of physical activity leads to swelling, discomfort, or a “heavy” feeling in the legs, which may increase the risk of blood clots that can even make their way to the brain, causing a stroke.
Occupation sitting over extended periods may also lead to a decrease in calorie expenditure, which in turn slows down the body’s metabolism. When the muscles remain inactive, the body burns fewer calories and reduces its efficiency in regulating blood sugar and fat breakdown.
This metabolic slowdown increases the risk of weight gain and contributes to chronic health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
REDUCING RISKS
Having explored the above risks associated with occupational sitting, what are some ways that we can address these risks? Firstly, there is a need to have a nationwide education campaign that outlines the risks involved in sedentary jobs. The administration of these workplaces must also develop policies in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Wellness that support the physical well-being of employees. Lastly the employees should incorporate short stretch breaks of at least three to five minutes every hour throughout the day, have walking meetings, stay hydrated, elevate your legs, use compression socks where necessary and wear supportive footwear. Implementing these simple strategies during the workday will mitigate risk and drive productivity within the workplace.
