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MARCH 2015
7
business
solutions
Stand Up
for Health and Productivity
Sitting less during the workday can result in significant benefits
S
it down and get to work.” You probably remember teachers saying that during
your school years. But was it the best advice? Some research suggests that long
periods of constant sitting inhibit circulation and flexibility, and decrease attentive-
ness. A recent study from Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State
University says that by reducing excessive sitting to less than three hours a day, a per-
son can add an estimated two years to his or her life expectancy.
This information has led more companies to offer employees the option of working at a
stand-up desk. The idea isn’t new; history features many prominent stand-up desk users
including Thomas Jefferson, Ernest Hemingway, and Winston Churchill. However, the
trend is catching on as more people experience the health and productivity benefits of
working while standing.
Even if you don’t want to invest in stand-up desks at your company, there are other ways
to incorporate more standing into the workday:
• Stand up while talking on the phone.
Doing so helps many people stay alert and
adds energy to their voices—particularly useful during sales calls.
• Have stand-up meetings.
It’s almost guaranteed that these meetings will take less
time; when standing, people tend to get to the point more quickly.
• Take regular activity breaks.
It can be as simple as a five-minute walk around the
hallway or a few trips up and down the stairs.
The bottom line (pun intended) is this: Employees who are more sedentary have been
found to be less productive. Is it time for your company to stand up and take notice?
“
BVTC ENCOURAGES
EMPLOYEES TO BE ACTIVE
The annual Walk Kansas campaign seeks to
spread the message that walking 30 min-
utes a day, five days a week can improve
overall health and prevent disease.
BVTC employees will participate in the cam-
paign, which takes place March 15 to May 9.
The BVTC group will likely have two teams of
six people each.
The decision to participate was based on
motivating employees to get active. BVTC
Marketing Associate Rachel Strunk says,
“We wanted people to be aware of how
sitting at a desk all day affects overall
health. Plus, it’s a great way to show sup-
port of our local county extension offices.”
While Walk Kansas is a statewide program,
each county has its own implementation.
Contact your local extension office for further
details on how to participate in your county.