Is Your Job Making You Unhealthy?

(CARLSBAD, CA) - If you’re employed, chances are that you spend 20 to 40-plus hours a week at your job, and research shows that your work environment can have a significant impact on your health habits.

Let’s start with what you eat. Did you know that the food bought and consumed in the office is a multi-million dollar business? According to information from the Wellness Councils of America:

— 50 percent of all mid-afternoon snacks eaten in the office are chocolate or sweets.

— 60 percent of workers are likely to try a food or beverage that a co-worker is consuming.

— People have two to three snacking opportunities in the office every day.

Next, let’s consider dress code. A study from the University of Wisconsin—La Crosse found that workers were more physically active on days when they could dress more casually (jeans versus suits). According to researchers, test subjects were more likely to take the stairs or walk a message to a colleague rather than use the phone or email, when they were dressed comfortably. The extra calories burned were the equivalent of a two-pound weight loss per year.

How about commute time? The more time you spend driving to and from work, the more likely you are to be obese, according to a study of 10,000 Atlanta-area residents. For every 30 minutes spent driving, commuters had a three percent greater chance of becoming obese than workers who spent less time in the car.

Finally, the corporate culture and your personal feelings regarding vacation time may directly correlate with your longevity. Studies indicate that individuals who forego vacation days have a higher incidence of heart disease and a shorter life span than those who take time off.

Judi Sheppard Missett, Jazzercise founder, suggests the following tips on how you can avoid these common health traps and temptations:

— Have a ready supply of healthy snacks at your fingertips. Keep a stash of nuts and dried fruits in your desk. Stock the refrigerator with vegetables, fruit, yogurt and string cheese. You’ll feel better, stay thinner and save money!

— Although you may not have an option when it comes to business dress versus business casual, you can make careful choices when it comes to your shoes (e.g. flat and flexible rather than stiff and high-heeled) and the cut and fabrics of your clothing. Opt for clothing that feels comfortable and moves well so that you’re more likely to move about during the day. 

— Take that vacation! You’ve earned it, and it could lengthen your life.

— Inquire about employee discounts at health clubs or fitness programs. If your company doesn’t offer any, lobby for some. Let your human resources representative know how fitness affects the bottom line: as people’s fitness increases, so does productivity and job performance. Sick days also decrease.

If you work at a desk all day, be sure to get up and move around frequently.  This helps prevent muscle tension and imbalances, relieves stress, and helps you renew your focus.  Try the following seated hip flexor stretch to lengthen a muscle that tends to tighten up when you sit for long periods of time.

Sit forward in your chair, with your feet firmly on the floor and your torso lifted tall.  Pull your abdominal muscles in tight and relax your shoulders.  Turn your body to the left and slide your right leg back until your right knee is directly below your right hip.  Continue to ease it back until you feel a gentle stretch down the front of the right hip.  Breathe naturally as you hold for 20 to 30 seconds before switching to the other leg.

Jazzercise, created by Judi Sheppard Missett, is the world's leading dance-fitness program with more than 6,800 instructors teaching 30,000 classes weekly in the U.S. and around the globe. Since 1969, millions of people of all ages and fitness levels have reaped the benefits of this comprehensive program, designed to enhance cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility. For more information on Jazzercise go to jazzercise.com or call (800)FIT-IS-IT or (760)476-1750.

Courtesy of Jazzercise, Inc. - jazzercise.com