By now, everyone knows that sitting at a desk or just sitting in general for long periods is not a healthy lifestyle. However, if that is your job, the way you work, and something you have to focus on, it may not be easy to remind yourself or constantly think, "I'm engaging in risky behavior." <\/strong><\/span><\/p>

          <\/strong><\/span>The tendency is that you will continue to sit and work until one day you might regret it. You don't necessarily have to quit this type of work or change jobs for better health. Let's take a look at what habits put you at risk for poor health and how you can address them.

1. Sitting for long periods and trying to compensate by going to the gym

          <\/strong><\/span>Exercising regularly is undoubtedly good for you, and no one can argue with that. However, even if you work out hard at the gym every day, it is not enough to compensate for the damage done to your body from sitting all day. This does not even include sitting in a car, especially if you drive or take a private vehicle to work and back home, sitting while eating all three meals, watching television, or playing games, etc. In total, you spend at least half of your day sitting. Numerous studies have found a correlation between sitting and an increased risk of heart disease, cancer, and various chronic non-communicable diseases, all of which can lead to premature death. This risk applies to everyone with such behavior, including those who exercise regularly.

          <\/strong><\/span>Changing your position from sitting to moving your body, even slightly, such as standing up or walking short distances to another table, throughout the day will keep you healthier than sitting all day, even if you exercise for 30 to 60 minutes before or after work. You should stand up and move around every 20 minutes or, at most, no longer than 45 minutes of sitting still. If your work is so busy that you can't take a break, even standing up for a few seconds can help. Adding some simple stretches or yoga poses would be even better.

2. Staring at a computer screen that forces you to lean forward, tilt your head, or squint at the screen

          <\/strong><\/span>Have you ever heard the term “tech neck”? It literally translates to “neck pain from technology.” This new term describes the stress you put on your neck and spine from frequently bending down to look at mobile devices. Such devices include mobile phones, iPads, tablets, e-readers, etc., but also desktop computer screens. If you work with a laptop, it is likely that the screen is not at eye level when you look straight ahead, causing you to hunch over. Additionally, the screen should be positioned about an arm's length away. If you find yourself needing to twist your neck, lean forward, or squint, you need to adjust the screen position, find a chair that allows you to sit comfortably, or adjust the font size on the screen for easier viewing.

3. Never cleaning your keyboard, mouse, or desk surface

          If you touch your computer every day, it is highly likely that it is full of germs. You might not believe that your computer keyboard and mouse could be dirtier than your toilet seat, but trust me. Studies have shown that these two items are significant carriers of germs, especially the common cold and flu. You should clean and disinfect your desk surface at least once every one to two weeks. You can spray the disinfectant onto a cleaning paper or cloth and use it to wipe down your keyboard and mouse as well.

4. Eating at your desk

          Eating at your desk not only increases the germs that can thrive in your workplace but also the lack of a serious break from work to step away for lunch can negatively affect your brain and overall productivity.   Researchers from the University of Berlin studied people who quickly ate lunch at their desks compared to another group who stepped out for lunch and found that the group that went out to eat was more relaxed and had a higher ability to perceive and understand when they returned to work than those who ate at their desks without moving. However, this does not mean you have to go out to eat at a restaurant every day; just stepping out to a park or public area, or eating at a nearby restaurant or even in your office building can give your brain the break it needs. You will feel less stressed and more refreshed for the afternoon work session.

5. Multitasking

          Multitasking, such as allowing emails to interrupt you while preparing a presentation or listening to the radio (not just music) while trying to write a report, forces you to divide your attention. When trying to do multiple things at once, the quality of what you produce decreases.   You can easily eliminate this bad habit by completing tasks one at a time. Make a list of what you need to do and commit to not moving on to the next task until you finish the first one.

          What are your behaviors like in the workplace, or even at home if you use your home as a workplace? I hope some of the above suggestions will be helpful to you. Start today, right now, and after reading this article, get up and stretch!

Thank you for the information from www.thaihealth.or.th