A Google search of ‘death by desk’ brings up 293 million results in 0.5 seconds. Studies have linked being inactive with being overweight and obese, Type-2 diabetes, some types of cancer and early death. Office workers are already suffering from strained eyes (50 percent), sore backs (49 percent) and headaches (48 percent) as a direct result of their workspace.
These are problems that are compounded as we get older and become more sedentary. Recent studies show that people in the United States are sitting a lot more than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic. Many adults in the UK spend around 9 hours a day sitting. This includes watching TV, using a computer, reading, doing homework, travelling by car, bus or train but does not
include sleeping. The use of computers has doubled in the UK and USA over the last 20 years.
Working from home increased significantly during the pandemic. The UK Office of National Statistics (2020) said an additional 46 percent of people worked at home. Nine in ten British office workers are suffering from poor health due to their work environment and, as a result, find their job more difficult, having a major impact on productivity, engagement, attendance and profit levels.
At the Mercy of Our Ancient Genes: AKA Why Are We So Couch Potato-ey?
If the above image were to continue its progression, there might only be a head remaining on the desk in front of the computer. To adapt an old adage, ‘We must use our bodies or lose our bodies!’
Walking has always been humans’ primary mode of locomotion. We have experienced life and crossed the face of the Earth, as well as defined our relationship with the environment and animal world and our own species.
We have carried our children on our backs, helped support our elderly, herded animals, carried our tools, and founded our homes and settlements: all on foot. Fossils found from ten million years ago indicate an early species of human whose bodies had evolved to allow them to walk on two legs. For millions of years we have lived on our feet: chased, hunted, gathered, killed, and fled, found water, danced and played.
Our ancient genes may be telling us that if we aren’t running from tigers, foraging for food, building shelter or procreating for survival, then we must maintain our bodily reserves by resting.
The primeval urgency to move, enforced by those ancient external factors, simply isn’t necessary in the modern Western World. Yet, this urgency to move remains an essential biological function for our bodies to survive and function even at a basic level to reduce strain on our hearts and to pump the necessary fluids around our bodies to keep us alive.
The Number 1 Remedy to Combat These Health Challenges
Walking + is a powerful tool in combating the well-known health challenges arising from a sedentary lifestyle.
As a desk worker who used to work in an office but now works from home, I have been glued to the desk for very long periods. At times, I have been extremely uncomfortable and in pain, knowing that staying seated for so long has slowly been destroying my health.
I decided to write a book about walking for those of us who are living a sedentary lifestyle to help elevate our effectiveness.
Why not find out more in my book "WALKING + FOR HEALTH & FITNESS: Stop Sitting, Get up & Start Walking + 12 Quick, Easy & Effective Steps For Work & Home" by Louisa J. Morgan
NOT YOUR REGULAR WALKING BOOK
Walking+ adds more fun and will help fill the exercise needs that were previously met during the regular commute to work or an hour in the gym or swimming pool. Here you will learn to vary and optimize your walking style, your pace and to introduce additional exercises for improving cognitive functioning, breathing, muscle tone, waistline, eye health and tai-chi – yes, you read correctly, even tai-chi!
Remember that the key is in small regular habits and in their frequency – not regularly exercising is not an option.
If you are curious and want to explore these techniques you can purchase my book here "WALKING + FOR HEALTH & FITNESS: Stop Sitting, Get up & Start Walking + 12 Quick, Easy & Effective Steps For Work & Home" by Louisa J. Morgan
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