If your job involves a lot of sitting, make sure you get up and stretch during the day.  It’s a good move for your health!

Many of us spend a great deal of our work day sitting and doing repetitive physical tasks (especially computer work). This is not good for our health. Not only is it harmful to sit too much, but repetitive work such as typing or using a cash register can cause problems for our bodies. Over time we may feel stiffness and pain in many areas of our bodies, including wrists, arms, shoulders, neck and back.

Just as in the rest of your life, you should make movement a regular part of your work day:

• Instead of always emailing or phoning colleagues who are in your workplace, take time to walk to their offices.
• Take a five-minute fit break at your desk with the Get Fit As You Sit workout video from ParticipACTION.
• Organize walking lunches with your co-workers (or go alone for some quiet time).  Even ten minutes of activity is beneficial.
• Stand as you return phone calls or take part in a teleconference.
• Organize standing and walking meetings.
• Take the stairs, when possible.
• Explore opportunities for fitness classes or other forms of physical activity during the work day.

Many employers already know that we’re all more productive at work when we get up, move and stretch!

Services related to this information:

• Contact your Public Health Nurse:
  • Eastern Urban/Rural Zones
  • Central Zone
  • Western Zone
  • Labrador-Grenfell Zone
• 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555