We have all heard many tips on how to stay healthy. Everyone has their own set of rules and advice. Make sure you get proper exercise, fresh air, don’t eat fatty foods, don’t fall asleep in front of the TV and so on… the list goes on. But when it comes to staying healthy what really matters? A good start would be to have realistic expectations. Here are a few easy ways to implement improvements into your everyday routine.

1.     Drink more water.

Yes, you may think this is an obvious one, but did you know the average adult is usually walking around under hydrated if not completely dehydrated? If everyone drank more water, we probably would not be dealing with so many germs floating around in the elevator on the way to work.

“Wait, you mean there’s another way to get to the second floor?”

 2.     Find a good chair.

Honestly, who likes the chair they have to sit in everyday? I’m sure many of you will lie and act like yours is fine. But unless you have a chair that offers proper ergonomic support you are going to be sore and stiff at some point. Consider the advantages – good posture and proper blood flow leads to more energy throughout your day which will lead to more energy to enjoy your evening!

“If you sit here, you may never sit the same in any other chair. Ever. Again.”

 3.     Walk around the office.

Forget texting, Google chat, Outlook, IM, Pinging or poking. Reach out to your co-workers with a few steps down the hall and get some movement in your day. If you reach out, in an actual conversation you are more likely to come up with some good ideas, something that does not usually come easy, when the only thing you’re staring at is the screen.

“Just try to leave your co-workers alone if they look busy.”

 4.     Try to Stand While Working.

We know your boss may be living in the Stone age when it comes to having a healthy work environment. What I would recommend is to sneak some research papers on employee productivity when using a stand up desk under his door when no one is looking (we are in no way responsible for your grumbling boss). If you do have some control over the situation, consider some of the following stand up desks that will change the atmosphere in the office and boost morale.

 “The ups and downs at his office are a good thing!”

 If you have any unique and realistic tips about how to stay healthy with ease in your daily routine, please share! New ideas are always appreciated.

 We have the solution! (see below workstations)

This is embarrassing for Sleepy John and a concern for his employer to say the least!

National Sleep Foundation’s 2008 Sleep in America poll found that 29% of its respondents fell asleep or became drowsy at work. This can have a serious impact on productivity.

What is the solution?

There are several ways we can stay more alert at work:

1-    Make sure you have enough rest the night before.
2-    Do not overheat your work place.
3-    Take a short walk if you have enough time on your breaks.
4-   Use Standing Desk (sit-stand workstation).

 How these workstations can help you?

Drowsy? Raise your desk or workstation and continue working in standing position. This will not only fight sleepiness but it will also prevent musculoskeletal disorders like shoulder, back, neck and wrist pain. In the long run, switching between sitting and standing at work will help avert obesity and health issues like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

How to use the workstation?

There is a study by NASA that recommends changing your position (from sitting to standing) every 20 minutes. Both sitting and standing, if done continuously for a long stretch of time, can be harmful for health. So what is most important is alternating positions frequently and a standing desk or a sit-stand workstation is useful in order to do that.    

Which workstation is best for me?

Our most affordable recommendation to overcome sleeping at work is Ergotron WorkFit-A with a Suspended Keyboard Tray.

This workstations sells below $500 and have three main advantages :-

-   It includes a suspended keyboard tray which allows you to bring the keyboard down below the surface of the desktop while you are sitting. This promotes a 90 degree angle of the elbows and straight wrists and forearms, which is ergonomically healthy.

-       It installs at the back of the desk, opening up valuable desktop space in the front for other work.

- The monitor and the keyboard tray (together) can move 20” vertically for height adjustment. WorkFit-A can also support dual monitors.

Our most economical recommendation is a WorkFit-S workstation. Selling below $400, even the WorkFit-S can support single and dual monitors. Providing appropriate height adjustability, these workstations are the perfect entry into the sit-stand category of products.

Another popular option in the standing desk category is the WorkFit-D . With a height adjustment of 20” and a spacious worksurface, this desk costs $699.

The WorkRite Sierra HX Electric Height Adjustable Table (see below) is top of the line ergonomic adjustable desk which lets you sit or stand while working by simply pressing a button. It comes with electric control with 3 memory pre-sets so you can set the desk according to your height while you are standing and another pre-set button brings the desk down to your perfect sitting height.

With easy and smooth electric controls, this table can be raised from 22” to 48” and can carry a load of up to 225 lbs.

Please call us if you have any questions.

These days, sitting at a desk is an extremely common part of daily life. Many people find themselves hunched over their desks for hours at work, or slouching in their seats to pay attention to a lengthy lecture while rapidly scribbling notes. A startling study conducted in 2011* confirmed that professionals working in the Minneapolis area spent almost half of their entire day sitting. That’s about fourteen hours of sedentary activity.

Another alarming study (which was conducted in 2006*) proved that sitting for four or more hours a day attributed to 6.9 percent of deaths and increased a variety of health-related risks.

This research determined that sitting or being sedentary for a majority of the day can cause the following health conditions:

• Heart disease
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Cancer

Because of the potential risks involved with being inactive, doctors are recommending healthy doses of work breaks, standing work stations, and the use of isometric balls. An adjustable desk is a popular option that doctors are strongly recommending to their patients. With an ergonomic height adjustable desk, patients will experience less pain in their backs, necks, arms, and legs. Standing desks also provide proper posture for people suffering from daily back pain. A stand up workstation can decrease unnecessary aches and irritation caused by sitting too long, which ultimately increases productivity levels due to a higher degree of comfort.

When working, it is important to maintain your overall health. Unfortunately, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention has stated that obesity is affecting two-thirds of the United States population. Health costs dedicated to obesity are averaging more than $168 billion annually.

Sitting around an office without a decent amount of physical activity can most commonly attribute to obesity so if it is at all possible, taking breaks from lengthy periods of working at a computer is highly recommended. Additionally, sit-stand work centers can assist in the comfort of your environment, leading to increased productivity.

* Pronk NP, Katz AS, Lowry M, Payfer JR. Reducing Occupational Sitting Time and Improving Worker Health: The Take-a-Stand Project, 2011.

* van der Ploeg HP, Chey T, Korda RJ, Banks E, Bauman A. Sitting Time and All-Cause Mortality Risk in 222 497 Australian Adults. Arch Intern Med. 2012;172(6):494-500. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2011.2174.