On Your Feet Britain, a new campaign led by group Get Britain Standing and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) is holding an event next Friday (24th April) encouraging office workers to sit down less and move around more.
In the first event of its kind, the day will see the UK’s office workers pledging to stand up more during the day, raising awareness of the many health problems that are linked to sitting for long periods at work.
The campaign is encouraging workers to make some simple changes during their working day, such as:
- Standing up during phone calls
- Taking a break from the computer every 30 minutes
- Using the stairs rather than the lift
- Conduct meetings whilst standing or walking
- Eating lunch away from the desk
- Walking to a colleague’s desk rather than phoning or emailing them
Get Britain Standing’s Gavin Bradley told the BBC News website: “We’re all victims of our environment, we’ve taken a lot of activity out of the workplace and we’re sitting longer and longer.
“We need new and innovative ways of addressing the issue.
“Stand up when you’re on the phone or in meetings, do everything you can to avoid sitting.”
A major problem suffered by office workers today are repetitive strain injuries (RSI), which typically affect the arms, shoulders, hands and wrists, or a combination of the upper limbs. Those working in an office are particularly susceptible to developing injuries of this kind due to them sitting at their desk in one position for long periods. This campaign, which encourages people to get up and move around more during the working day, could help office workers to minimise their chances of developing RSI in the future.
Up for the challenge? View the campaign’s challenge page here to get involved.