Thursday, November 23, 2017

Take a Stand on Standing

A lot of attention has been paid to the health risks of sitting all day, but did you know that standing on the job all day can also be harmful?

According to a study by the Institute for Work and Health (IWH) and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, workers who stand on the job are twice as likely as people who sit on the job to have a heart attack or congestive heart failure—even after taking into account other personal, health, and work factors.

What’s more, the unadjusted risk of heart disease among people who stand all day was slightly higher than that of daily smokers.

10 Health Effects of Standing All Day

1. Varicose veins
2. Plantar fasciitis
3. Low back pain
4. Muscle soreness
5. Muscle fatigue
6. High blood pressure
7. Knee or hip arthritis
8. Foot and leg swelling and pain
9. Stretched Achilles tendon
10. Joint damage

7 Ways to Reduce Your Risk

1. Alternate between standing and sitting.
2. Change positions frequently.
3. Wear comfortable and supportive shoes.
4. Frequently stretch your hamstrings, calves, and feet.
5. Avoid extreme bending and twisting.
6. Pace your work appropriately.
7. Use breaks to sit and rest.

Sources: cos-mag.com, bioped.com, ccohs.ca

Take a Stand on Standing

10 Health Effects of Standing All Day

7 Ways to Reduce Your Risk

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