According to research, Canadians spend almost 10 hours a day on average sitting. This can lead to a number of health problems, from joint stiffness and hip flexor pain to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Here’s how you can avoid excessive sitting during the day while you’re at work.

Rethink Your Desk

One way to avoid staying seated for too long at your desk is by rethinking how you use that space. If possible, get a stand-up or adjustable desk that allows you to sit or stand as you please. This way, you’ll be able to do your work even while standing up, as opposed to staying seated all day.

If this isn’t an option, then you can customize your desk in other ways. Keep heavy books or boxes beneath your monitor and keyboard to elevate them. You can then continue using your equipment while standing, and switch back to sitting by reversing the adjustments.

Do More Things Standing Up Rather Than Sitting Down

Another great way to avoid sitting for most of the day is by adjusting your habits such that you do more activities standing up than you used to. These can be small, random things such as attending a phone call or eating lunch.

Instead of answering calls at your desk, utilize that time to walk across the room and talk while standing or walking. Similarly, instead of keeping your lunch at your desk and eating there, make the trip to the break room for your meal. Go over to chat with a colleague instead of having them come over to your desk. When you have free time or are looking to take a short break from work, resist the urge to watch YouTube videos at your desk and instead use it to stretch your legs. If you really do want to watch videos or scroll through social media, do this while standing up or walking.

Set Reminders to Be On Your Feet More

Sometimes, all you need is a little push to get up from your seat and stretch your legs. This can be done by setting reminders for yourself that compel you to get the exercise you need. Use whichever (and as many) gadgets, apps, and channels for this as you need. You can set an alarm on your phone, schedule email reminders, personalise your screensaver to urge you to get up, or even ask a co-worker to remind you to take a short walking break.

For some additional motivation, set daily goals. For instance, you can establish how many steps you want to cover during the day. This way, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment once you achieve this and will be motivated to get up and stretch your legs more often.

At RegenerVate Medical Injection Therapy, we use platelet rich plasma injections to treat musculoskeletal ailments caused because of excessive sitting. Call our team at 1 855 847-3975 to make an appointment at our clinics for PRP therapy in the greater Toronto area!