A growing number of medical professionals have warned patients against the habit of sitting at their desks for lengthy periods of time. As a benefit for today’s cubicle dwellers, pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm provides a few recommendations for people who are often sedentary throughout the day.
Q: How does leading a sedentary lifestyle affect a person’s health?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Sitting for hours on end has been associated with heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and other troubling conditions and ailments that may lead to premature death. By introducing activity breaks into a daily routine, people have the opportunity to increase blood flow and create good habits that last a lifetime.
Q: Are there certain suggestions that have worked for your friends and colleagues?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Set a timer on a cell phone or computer that makes a sound every hour. When this alarm goes off, complete the task and then enjoy a brisk five-minute walk around the building or down the street. Even for those who are active outside the office, a short timeout every once in a while is necessary to ward off unwanted health complications.
Q: Have you found any long-term solutions for people like myself who are often chained to a desk and unable to take a break?
Marla Ahlgrimm: For workers who have the ability to use a laptop, the best suggestion is to move somewhere with a bar top or countertop that allows one to check emails and perform other related tasks while standing up.
Q: What other tips might prove effective for the world’s 9-to-5ers?
Marla Ahlgrimm: To incorporate more physical activity into the workday, try taking the stairs and parking farther away from the building’s entrance. Every step counts when it comes to maintaining and improving one’s health. Walking or riding a bike to work is suggested for those who live in close proximity to their place of business.
Marla Ahlgrimm has co-authored two ground-breaking books,