28th April 2022 is On Your Feet Britain day Norwich-based Flomotion Studio, specialists in active working, sit-stand desks and ergonomic seating, are marking national On Your Feet Day on 28th April 2022 by encouraging Norfolk and Suffolk’s workforce to make time to move for better health and wellbeing. Research shows that regular movement throughout the day leads to better physical and mental health, increased motivation and energy, improved concentration and fewer aches and pains. But with tens of thousands of people sitting at desks all day, sedentary work habits are the cause of many preventable health and muscular-skeletal problems. Floyd Sayers, joint founder of Flomotion Studio, knows this only too well. “After working as a graphic designer and hunched over a desk for more than 30 years, I developed desk-induced back pain, sciatica, poor posture and fatigue. After researching solutions, I discovered sit-stand desks and began working with my daughter to design our own prototype. With an adjustable sit-stand desk and an ergonomic chair, I quickly started to feel the benefits of alternating my sitting and standing and adding more movement into my working day.” But Floyd is keen to point out that active working means more than standing up periodically. We encourage people to consider how mind, body and workspace combine to make your working environment more positive, productive and uplifting. Whether that’s the colour you paint your office walls, the incorporation of living plants, the positioning of your furniture, the organisation of your workspace and, of course, the amount of active movement you weave into your day.” Floyd is a firm believer in the advice of Peter Opsvik (father of ergonomic furniture and the designer behind the classic HÅG Capisco chair for active working) that, ‘The Best posture is the next one’. “The worst thing any of us can do is to stay in one position for an extended period. Subjecting muscle or connective tissue to stress over time will lead to increased strain and muscular skeletal issues and pain. That’s why it’s critical to adjust your posture and working position regularly.” So, what can office workers or anyone working from home do to get moving more? Floyd and his Flomotion team suggest that people set a timer, reminding them to move every 40 minutes. “Stand up to work for 20-30 minutes, walk around your office, lean forward on your chair or have a dance break: making time to move and allow your body to recalibrate is so important,” says Floyd. “Being conscious of the way you breathe is also a big part of our philosophy. We introduce our customers to stretching and deep breathing techniques because these allow your body to fully exchange incoming oxygen with outgoing carbon dioxide, slow the heartbeat, lower or stabilise blood pressure and lower stress.” More movement tips from Flomotion to make active working work for you, throughout the day:
- Start the day with stretches. Spend 5 or 10 minutes gently stretching to loosen, realign and strengthen your muscles and improve your circulation, ready for the day ahead.
- Make time to move. Set an alarm to for every 40 minutes to remind you to move for two minutes.
- And breathe. Focus on your breathing at regular intervals throughout the day. Feel your lungs and chest filling with air and then control your breath as you release it slowly.
- Before you start a job, check your posture. Are you sitting or standing comfortably?
- Have standing or walking meetings. Not only will it keep you moving, you will probably find meetings become more efficient.
- Choose the stairs rather than the lift whenever possible.
- Check your kit. Are your screens at the right height? Are you using a wrist rest? Are you using the right chair?
- If you drive to work, don’t choose the closest carpark to your office. If you get the bus, get off one step earlier.
- Create a playlist of the tunes guaranteed to get you moving and listen to music whenever you can. You’ll soon feel your hips and shoulders moving even if you’re sitting down
- Keep hydrated. Just as you remind yourself to move, remind yourself to drink water during the day.
STOP! Hula time! From 1st to 22nd May 2022, Flomotion is inviting people throughout the UK to get involved in its hula hoop challenge, in a bid to get us all feeling healthier, happier and more active at work. To take part, record yourself hula hooping during the working day for between 15 and 30 seconds (whether that’s at home, in the office or wherever work is for you!) and post your video on Instagram, tagging in @flomotion_studio. It’s open to anyone – whether you have mastered hula hooping or not. Have fun, get creative, and get on your feet! If you work in a team, encourage your colleagues to take part too. Everyone who posts a video of themselves hula hooping will be entered into a free draw, with the chance to win a Flomotion sit-stand desk worth £650. Follow @flomotion_studio on Instagram or visit www.flomotionstudio.co.uk for more information and full terms and conditions.
