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You’ve probably heard by now that the sedentary office lifestyle is leading to a rise in heart disease and other health issues. Studies have shown that moving throughout the work day is the best way to combat the negative side effects of being chained to your desk. Take these tips to get yourself up and moving while you work!

 
office benching

Get Up, Stand Up

Alternating between sitting and standing is a great way to keep moving at the office without having to stop your workflow. We recommend standing 15 minutes for every one hour of sitting. The easiest way to accomplish this is to equip your workspace with a standing height or adjustable height desk. With either of these options, you’ll be able to alternate between sitting and standing as often as you want. If you’re working with a stationary standing desk, be sure to equip your workspace with a stool that will allow you to not only stand but sit at both work surfaces as well.

 

Of course, convincing management to splurge on standing desks isn’t always an easy feat to accomplish. If you want to fit some stand-up time into your work day but don’t have a standing desk, simply get up from time to time to walk to the breakroom or do a quick stretch at your desk. You can also get in some standing by taking your laptop to a counter-height table in the office or breakroom. If you work from a desktop, strategically plan your day so that you can do any work that does not require a computer at a standing height surface.

 
office benching

Feel Free to Fidget

You may be surprised to learn that fidgeting is actually quite good for you! Tapping your toes and drumming on your desk are great ways to get moving and release some energy without having to go anywhere. You can even get a leaning chair for your workspace to make fidgeting even more ergonomic. Other tools that encourage fidgeting include wobble boards, ball chairs and footrests.

 

Turning up some tunes is a great way to keep your fidgeting up. Although some prefer the soothing sounds of instrumental music, high energy genres can really get your toes tapping and make for a sitting experience that’s full of movement. So long as you aren’t disturbing your neighbors, fidget away!

 
office benching

Take a Walk

Whether it’s a short walk to the breakroom and back or a long walk at the park over lunch, walking throughout the day can be a huge help and is a great alternative for those who do not have access to standing desks at the office. Try walking quicker than your usual pace to burn more energy, and take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible.

 

Want to encourage others in your office to get moving? Suggest your next conference be a walking meeting. Whether it’s at a local park, a walk to a nearby restaurant or simply a few laps around the office building, walking and talking not only makes us more physically fit, but it also encourages a higher level of creativity by breaking employees out of the everyday office mold.

 

Need help finding the right standing desk or leaning chair for your office? Peruse our full selection of adjustable height desks or read more standing articles here.

 

 

Employee Wellness
Ergonomics

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How to Hold More Active Meetings

How to Hold More Active Meetings

As business owners and employees become more aware of the negative effects of sitting all day on our bodies, we need new ways of staying active on the job. We all know standing desks are a great solution for keeping moving at our desks, but what about those of us who are stuck in meetings all day? Here are some creative solutions for giving everyone in your conference rooms the option to move freely throughout the day.

Choose an Adjustable-Height Conference Table

That’s right, adjustable-height furniture doesn’t only come in desk form! Adjustable-height conference tables come in a wide range of styles and sizes, allowing meeting members to decide when they’d like to sit or stand. Remember to provide stools rather than standard conference chairs in a meeting room with an adjustable-height table. This way, users can still take a seat if they prefer when the table is set to standing height. Remember, it’s all about offering everyone a choice.

Offer Active Seating in Your Conference Rooms

While stools are ideal for the standing conference room, you may also want to offer active seating options such as ball chairs or leaning stools that promote positive fidgeting. Active seating allows meeting members to move freely while they sit, encouraging movement in a setting that would normally prevent it. Beware of what type of conference room these seating options are provided in, as the fidgeting active seating promotes can be potentially distracting. We suggest offering these seating options in more casual offices or meeting spaces. 

Hold Active Meetings Outside the Office

If possible, try holding meetings outside the office from time to time. Even a short walk to a new location will get employees moving, which gets those creative juices flowing. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can even try holding the meeting while walking. This type of meeting is typically only viable with a small number of participants, and you should make sure that everyone is on board with it before the meeting. Not everyone is physically able to walk for even short distances.

 

Business Development Pros

When it came time for Business Development Pros to move to a new office space, they took at as the ideal opportunity to upgrade their office to a more beautiful and functional workspace. For help bringing their vision to life, Business Development Pros's Paul and Marc Case reached out to NBF Account Executive Anna Reedy. From open concept workstations and standing height options to an inviting reception area and private meeting spaces, the new office has everything employees need to get to work.

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Nicole Groshek

Nicole Groshek is the social media and content coordinator for National Business Furniture. She helps employees discover the true joy in loving what they do, from working in an inspiring office to having a little fun on the job.