Career Management: a Desk Job May Be Terrible for Your Health

In the long run, a 40 hour desk job can cause substantial damage to your health even if you exercise on a regular basis. If you spend most of your day sitting at a desk, you run the risk of developing problems that include heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Over time, days of sitting down may actually shorten your life, and hours of the gym may not be enough to help you stay your healthiest.

According to "The New York Times," recent studies have identified many negative consequences of long-term sitting. People who spend substantial time in a chair are more likely to have larger waistlines, higher blood pressure, and more dangerously elevated blood sugar levels. Even if you go for walks, and go to the gym, your job might actually be bad for you if you spend significant time in a chair.

Why is this the case?

When you sit, you don't use up calories, and remaining immobile for an extended period of time is one of the most sedentary things that you can do. Even when your mind is hard at work, your body isn't getting the exercise that it needs. Over time, the calories that you don't burn can add up -- slowly & little by little. Even the smallest and most inconsequential moments and snacks can influence the bigger picture of your health.  Think about it: at lunch, do you go for a walk, or do you relax in the break room? How likely are you to eat those company 100- calorie packs when you're feeling bored or stressed? How about that soda? Do you take frequent walks around the office or are you relatively isolated and rushing to finish your work so that you can go home on time?

The human body's design is for movement, not immobility. The less we challenge our bodies, the more we harm our health, even if we make every effort to eat right, exercise, and take care of ourselves.

So what do we do when we depend on our desk jobs to survive?

The first step is to acknowledge the danger of sitting. Every day, make positive small decisions such as taking the stairs, taking frequent breaks, and walking to your favorite lunch spot instead of driving. If you can, try to stand up while working at your desk. Even standing requires expenditure of energy, so you'll be getting a better workout. Take it a step further and sit on an exercise ball instead of a chair so that you continuously tone your major muscles.

Get your coworkers involved, and help align your company's values with your commitment to good health. Many companies sponsor employee walking programs to help maintain morale and good health at the office. Remember that when it comes to your health, thinking small is as important as thinking big, and the biggest responsible career decision that you can make is in the best interest of your health.

Photo Credit: Patrick Haney