Take a Stand at Work with Five Ways to Avoid “Sitting Disease”

St. Louis, MO, July 24, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Each day, many Americans spend hours – or even the entire workday – sitting. Add that to time spent on your commute and relaxing on your couch and you can understand why simply sitting has become a significant health issue. In fact, the scientific community is now referring to this consistent sedentary behavior as “Sitting Disease.” Numerous studies show increased sedentary time can negatively impact both your mental and physical health. Research has also linked excessive sitting to weight gain, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, organ damage, muscle degeneration, spinal issues, leg problems and other disorders.

To help you get up and move throughout your day, the clinical experts at NurseWise, a national multilingual nurse triage and health education provider, have put together five easy ways to halt your health issues and stop the sitting surplus.

1. Count your down time. To start, figure out how long you’re sitting each day so you can determine how to reduce that time – both on a daily and weekly basis. Create a plan to get up and move at least once an hour. Increase “up time” in small increments, adding more time as you progress and at times that you can. Pro tip: add an alert to your phone, set a clock alarm or an electronic fitness device to buzz once an hour to remind you.
2. Take a stand. This is an easy one – just stand up. Some companies will give employees desks that convert from sitting to standing. It doesn’t hurt to ask. If you don’t have that luxury, get creative. Have a conference call? Take a break from your chair. It’s just as easy to stand and talk as it is to sit and talk. Pacing is an even better idea. Throw in some squats, leg lifts or arm exercises and now you’re burning calories in a quick, simple way.
3. Get out of your chair. Even if it’s only for a few minutes, get up and move. Ideally, you should take a minimum of 10,000 steps each day. That might sound like a lot, but break it up into smaller, more manageable steps. Instead of sending a quick email or instant message, walk over to your co-worker’s desk. Bonus points if you take stairs to get there. Use your lunch or other breaks as a chance to take a walk. An electronic fitness tracker - like a pedometer or a wristband – can help to track your daily steps and easily hold yourself accountable.
4. Have a meeting? Make it active. You don’t have to meet while sitting down. Consider holding a “walking meeting.” Walking increases blood flow, which may also get those creative juices flowing. Even if you only make part of the meeting active, you can add a few steps to your day by walking to the nearest coffee shop or taking a lap around the block. The much-needed break may be greatly appreciated by your colleagues and help increase focus. Pro tip: Get outdoors if possible. Studies show creative output increases significantly when walking outdoors.
5. Reach for the stars. Or maybe just your ceiling tiles…but stretch. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, stand up and stretch your arms, legs and back. If you can do this more than once during the workday, even better.

For more information about the dangers of Sitting Disease, visit the American Heart Association.

About NurseWise
NurseWise is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation in the business of providing multilingual telehealth (nurse triage and health education) services. We partner with health plans, hospitals, providers, colleges and universities, and other specialty organizations to ensure all callers have access to high quality, appropriate care. NurseWise holds full Health Call Center Accreditation from URAC, an accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry, and Health Information Product (HIP) 2 certification from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), which both demonstrate our emphasis on continuous improvement and commitment to quality at all levels of the organization. Our services are designed to encourage individuals to become active participants in their health care, engaging in activities that promote appropriate utilization of care resources as well as better health outcomes for individuals and their families. We have provided uninterrupted service every day since 1995. NurseWise experienced Customer Care Professionals and Registered Nurses at our Clinical Care CentersTM across the country provide Care.Right.Now. through delivery of health information, education, and advice in a culturally and linguistically sensitive manner. NurseWise has locations in Tempe, Ariz.; El Paso, Texas; Tyler, Texas; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Atlanta, Ga.; and St. Louis, Mo. For more information, please visit our website at www.nursewise.com or contact us at info@nursewise.com.