The modern lifestyle means that people spend a lot of time indoors, with work tasks that are very often sedentary. Did you know that being sedentary is the "new" smoking? Our modern lifestyle is actually increasing the risk of death through diabetes and heart and lung disease, among other things, by several hundred percent, much worse than smoking. Put simply, the modern lifestyle has become an endemic disease. But it is not just the sedentary lifestyle affecting us. Long days with a lot of screen time also affect our posture, eyes and brains.

Can one use décor to slow this down and instead make people more active? Yes, because most people spend a very large amount of their time indoors at work or school, well thought-out solutions for this should contribute to better overall well-being. Increased physical activity is also important, even in small doses.

Here are some tips and tricks that we believe will benefit many people.
 

Height adjustable desks and standing mats increase the chances of standing up to work – making it more comfortable. Standing up for as little as two minutes causes blood sugars and insulin levels to drop, compared to sitting down. If you can't manage to stand for the whole day it is good idea to switch between sitting and standing every hour.

Active sitting. Smart furniture is available that offers movement in an otherwise sedentary daily life. Replace your old office chair with an active chair, or even a balance ball. Active sitting allows movement throughout the day, and also activates the core muscles. 

 

 

Screens and the body. The digital screen is large part of life for the modern person, a huge difference compared to 10–20 years ago. The screen is not the problem, it is usually how one sits at it. To avoid neck and back pain one needs to change ones view and not have the head bending forward. At work you can position the screen so that it is at eye level. If you use a laptop, adjust the screen so that your head doesn't tip forward.

Active rest and breaks. It is not just individual workstations that can encourage standing, also try it in the conference room and bar top in the break room. Regular breaks help; going to speak to a colleague, getting water and going to the printer are all good activities to implement during the day to make those steps count and move. Not all breaks need to carry out a task or have a work related purpose. Stand up for a moment, or a take a short walk, to clear your mind and regain your concentration.

Leadership and culture

1. In addition to the décor, leadership and company culture can have a major impact.
2. Introduce a wellness hour to encourage exercise during the day, or start an activity group at the workplace that contributes to challenges, encouragement and activities that everyone can participate in.
3. Try having a walk and talk meeting rather than sitting in the conference room. A walk can often contribute to creative thoughts and solutions.
4. Make a diversion on the way from a meeting or lunch to get some extra steps in during the day.
5. Encourage activity during coffee breaks, a bit like during school breaks. Go for a walk around the workplace rather than just sitting in the break room.