Page 68 - Diabetes

Stand Up for Your Health!

By Laurel Dierking, M.Ed., NFPT, 200-YTT

STUDIES PERFORMED IN THE 1950s began to direct are many simple, discreet and beneficial ways to recharge
the world’s attention to the harmful dangers and risk of your body and mind while at work.
chronic illness associated with prolonged sitting. The London • Place your computer on a box or a stack
research revealed that bus drivers were twice as likely to have of books so you can stand at your desk.
heart attacks as their bus conductor colleagues. The health • Walk to a co-worker’s desk instead of
risks associated with sitting are even more prevalent now as calling or emailing.
the use of technology soars and sitting behind computers has • During bathroom breaks, walk down/up
become commonplace. With the rise of sedentary work-life the stairs to the bathroom on the next floor
comes the increase of chronic health issues such as heart (if you do not have stairs, simply stand/walk
disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stress and anxiety, around for an extra minute).
depression and fatigue. Fortunately, we now know a better way • Set a reminder/alarm to stand up for
to stand up against the harmful buildup of sedentary gunk. 1 to 2 minutes every 30 minutes.
According to some experts, standing up for three hours a • Stand each time you are on a phone call.
day, five days a week, for one year would be the equivalent of • Take the stairs.
running 10 marathons. It is not just the standing itself that is • Have standing meetings.
so beneficial, but also the movement, balance, postural aware- If you are looking for a bit more movement aside from just
ness, cognitive functioning and energy shifting that take place standing, try adding these short and simple exercises into
while standing. Since most individuals spend 60 percent of your 1- to 2-minute standing breaks throughout your day.
their day at work, this is oftentimes a hub for sedentary life in
which unhealthy habits such as sitting for extended periods of Laurel Dierking, M.Ed., NFPT, 200-YTT, is a health and fitness
time, skipping lunch and not exercising take place. This makes professional and yoga instructor with seven years of experience who
the workplace an ideal foundation to begin implementing a tailors her training to individual clients’ needs. She has an extensive
more proactive approach to employee wellness. hands-on background in exercise physiology, yoga and individualized
Numerous research studies have linked exercise to mood wellness training, with a focus on improving the mind and body con-
elevation and productivity enhancement, as well as more nection by guiding individuals through mindful movement, functional
collaborative and tolerant behavior in the workplace. There training, body awareness and breath work.
66 March/April 2018