Why Is It Important to Move More Often, Even at Work?

Sitting is the New Smoking: The Problem We Don’t Notice
16.01.2025
Sitting is the New Smoking: The Problem We Don’t Notice
16.01.2025

How to Improve Your Health and Productivity Through More Movement in the Office

In our fast-paced daily lives, many of us spend hours sitting in front of a computer, often unaware of how negatively this impacts our health, concentration, and productivity. A sedentary lifestyle is one of the leading causes of various health problems, including cardiovascular diseases, back and lower back pain, poor circulation, and increased stress levels.

What Are the Risks of Prolonged Sitting?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for mortality worldwide. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that people who sit for more than eight hours a day have a 20% higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Prolonged sitting not only affects our health but also significantly impacts concentration and work efficiency. Research by Harvard Business Review found that employees who take regular short movement breaks are 45% more productive than those who remain seated for long periods without movement.

Is There Such a Thing as the Perfect Workstation?

There is no universal “perfect” workstation, but the healthiest office environment is one that encourages movement and good posture. Ergonomic chairs, properly positioned monitors, and a well-adjusted desk height can help, but the most significant difference comes from frequent movement and workplace exercises.

Wellness programs such as those offered by CHAIR UP encourage employees to incorporate movement into their daily routine through simple yet effective exercises, breathing techniques, and strategies to enhance concentration and energy levels.

How Can We Effectively Change Our Habits?

  1. Take short breaks every 30-40 minutes – Even two minutes of movement can improve circulation and focus.
  2. Integrate office exercises – Simple workplace movements can help relieve muscle tension and energize the body.
  3. Use self-massage and body release techniques – Light massage movements on the neck and shoulders can help relieve tension.
  4. Incorporate breathing exercises – Deep abdominal breathing reduces stress and enhances cognitive function.
  5. Optimize your workspace ergonomically – Adjusting your chair, desk, and monitor placement can significantly reduce strain on your body.

CHAIR UP – The First Office Wellness Program in Bulgaria

To help employees maintain physical activity at the workplace, we created CHAIR UP – the first wellness program in Bulgaria dedicated to improving employee health in office environments. Founded in 2018, CHAIR UP develops customized workplace health programs that include:

  • Office gymnastics and workplace exercises tailored to busy work schedules
  • Breathing techniques to reduce stress in the office
  • Strategies to enhance workplace concentration
  • Techniques to relieve tension in the neck, back, and lower back

Our programs are designed to easily integrate into the workday, whether employees work from an office or remotely.

Movement: The Key to Health and Productivity

Incorporating more movement into the workday not only reduces health risks but also significantly improves productivity, focus, and overall well-being. Many companies have already partnered with CHAIR UP to create healthier, more active office environments for their employees.

If you want your team to benefit from innovative office wellness solutions, contact us and discover the perfect program for your company!