Office workers fighting the battle to stay fit may have a new weapon in their arsenal.
“Extended sedentary behavior has emerged as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), adverse health outcomes, and premature mortality, even among those who engage in regular moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity,” the study, published on April 4 in the Journal of the American Heart Association, states.
What’s Good for the Heart Is Good for the Whole Body
Active workstations are effective because when you contract your muscles, you are moving blood throughout your body, which has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, according to Dr. Amy Beard, a certified functional medicine practitioner.“Whatever benefits the cardiovascular system will benefit the rest of the body,” Dr. Beard told The Epoch Times. “It improves cognitive function when workers are allowed to engage in these active workstations. You are going to increase blood flow to the micro-circulation in your brain. As it gets more blood flow, it gains more oxygen. The brain is going to work better when that happens.”
Standing, walking, or stepping during the workday can also help solve another common health problem.
Increasing Movement Reduces Stress, Affects Obesity
The Mayo Clinic researchers said that considering office workers average 8.8 hours at work per day, their environments are important places to reduce sedentary behavior. There is a link between obesity and sedentary behavior, as obese people tend to be seated for 2.5 hours more per day than others.Dr. Beard said active workstations could help people overcome weight issues and alleviate stress and anxiety.
“Not only are they moving, which is always good for the body from so many different physiological perspectives, but it can also help relieve stress,” she said. “Moving is always good for relieving stress because you are breathing more deeply, getting more oxygen to the brain. That stops the stress reaction that many people are having when they are not taking deep breaths.
“When they are sitting at a desk, they are not taking deep breaths. That can be a stress on the body when the body is not getting the oxygen it needs. Stress is a huge contributor to problems of obesity and weight issues. Any time you are moving your body, you are increasing blood flow, increasing oxygenation of your tissues. That benefits many physiological processes. It is good for your mitochondria—the powerhouses of all your cells. There are so many ways this can help with people who are having weight issues.”
