{"id":30901,"date":"2023-07-13T12:22:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-13T12:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/?p=30901"},"modified":"2023-08-22T01:05:50","modified_gmt":"2023-08-22T01:05:50","slug":"how-long-office-workers-sitting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/cospedia\/how-long-office-workers-sitting","title":{"rendered":"How Long Should Office Workers Be Sitting?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Sitting can be Dangerous<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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You might not realise it, but sitting for long periods can be harmful to your health. It’s not just about feeling stiff or tired; there are serious risks like weakened muscles, heart disease, and even blood clots. In fact, lack of physical activity contributes to millions of preventable deaths every year. So, if you spend most of your workday sitting, it’s time to pay attention.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What do the guidelines say?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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According to Australia’s National Health Survey, nearly half of employed people aged 18-64 spend their workday mostly sitting. Unlike jobs with visible risks, like construction or mining, sedentary office work can silently harm your health. Better Health suggests that 60-75 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per day can help combat the dangers of excessive sitting. However, a study published in the journal PLOS One found that even if you exercise regularly, sitting for 10 or more hours daily increases the risk of early death by 34%.<\/p>

Now, the guidelines may vary, but they all agree that more movement is essential. Here are some recommendations
for office workers who spend most of their time at a desk:\u00a0<\/p>

  1. Stand or move for at least two hours a day.<\/li>
  2. Limit sitting time to less than 7 hours per day.<\/li>
  3. Aim for a sit-stand ratio between 1:1 and 1:3. In other words, try to stand for at least 30 minutes every hour<\/li><\/ol>
    Remember, regular movement is crucial. Let’s compare two scenarios:<\/div>
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