Sit Less Move More. The Get Britain Standing campaign is an initiative designed to increase awareness of the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle. Running through the month of April, the campaign shares information on the health risks associated with excessive sitting and offers strategies to mitigate that risk.
At our busy Fareham chiropractic clinic, we often see the results of years of prolonged sitting in our patients. They sometimes present with conditions like lower back pain, slipped discs, or degenerative disc disease, which can be caused or exacerbated by spending a lot of time in a chair.
To help you avoid these types of health problems, this post will share some information from the Get Britain Standing initiative.
How Much Do Brits Actually Sit?
The Get Britain Standing website has shared some statistics about how much time Brits spend sitting. They have found that the average person spends about 8.9 hours sitting in a chair each day.
The website also shares the impact of prolonged sitting on the body. They note that sitting slows metabolism of food, causes the leg muscles to switch off, disrupts blood sugar levels, and shuts down the enzymes that burn harmful blood fats.
These changes increase the risk of diseases and medical conditions like:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Cancer
- Back ache
- Dementia
- Depression
- Muscle degeneration
Strategies You Can Use to Sit Less At Work
Get Britain Standing is focussed on helping people sit less while they are at work. As a result, they are promoting a number of strategies which will help you in the workplace.
However, these options can also help people who are working at home or tend to sit a lot while studying or enjoying hobbies. Here are a few of the tips shared by Get Britain Standing:
Try A Sit-Stand Desk
A sit-stand desk can be adjusted to sitting or standing height. There are a wide range of models available including election standing desks, winding handle standing desks, and counterbalance systems. They are all designed to transition a desk from a comfortable sitting height to a standing height in a few seconds.
Using a standing desk will take some of the pressure off your spine and force you to use your leg muscles. It can dramatically reduce the risk of lower back pain and the chronic health conditions associated with excessive sitting.
However, before you purchase a standing desk, it’s worth having a chat with one of our Fareham chiropractors. They will help you develop a plan for transitioning from a sedentary lifestyle to a more active one that involves the use of a standing desk.
This is important because moving directly from spending 8 hours a day in a chair to several hours standing can be demanding on the body.
If you can’t afford a sit-stand desk, try a DIY solution like placing a coffee table on top of your desk or placing your computer on stacks of books. However, please ensure this is done in a safe manner and your DIY construction is sturdy and no likely to cause you harm.
Treadmill Desks
An even better option is a treadmill desk. It is a treadmill with a platform attached to the front of it, which you can use as a work surface. Treadmill desks allow you to continually walk while you work. It’s a wonderful option for anyone seeking to increase the amount of exercise they incorporate into their day.
Active Seating
One of the problems associated with spending a lot of time in a chair is that several major muscle groups are inactive. Your legs and abdominal muscles are particularly underused, which leads to a degradation of those muscle groups, potentially affecting your posture and increasing the risk of back pain.
One solution to this problem is to use an active seating solution, which forces the user to engage muscles to remain seated. There are several options available including stools, saddle chairs, and inflatable balls, which move as you adjust your position.
Balance Boards
Another option for keeping your muscles engaged while working is to use a balance board. It is a board with a ball or curve in its centre. The user stands on the board and has to balance to remain upright. It is a great option for engaging your core and leg muscles while using a standing desk.
Hopefully this post has given you a few ideas on how to sit less and move more this year.
Visiting Homewood Chiropractic Clinic in Fareham
If you are suffering back pain or discomfort our team of experienced chiropractors at Homewood Chiropractic Clinic are here to help you. To book an appointment with one of our chiropractic team, call our clinic on 01329 280 283 or you can book online on our website here.
Feedback from one of our many happy patients …
“I would definitely recommend Homewood Chiropractic clinic to anyone.
I am a Driving Instructor and have been suffering chronic back pain for approx 5 years. After numerous visits to my GP , Physio’s and a different Chiropractor. I was getting no answers. I was starting to give up hope.
I decided to give Homewood a try. I’m so glad I did. I finally got a diagnosis. I have received excellent treatment from Elaine, she also gave me advice on home exercises and help with new ways do deal with my problem.
My whole experience has been challenging and very emotional at times. But Elaine has supported me every step of the way, and never gave up on me.
I’m so grateful for all her hard work and dedication in helping me recover.
Thank you so much Elaine! ?
I can now go out on bike rides ,sit down in comfort and do more of my day to day tasks.
After a long time I’m getting my life back.
I was also given treatment by Max and Charleigh who have also been amazing and very professional.
You are all a great team. Thank you very much. Amy x”
Amy W 5 Star Google Review
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