Subscribe by Email
Going to work and being healthy? No way.
by Health PatioYes, way! The basis is N.E.A.T. (TM) or, non-exercise activity thermogenesis. “NEAT is the energy expenditure of all physical activities other than volitional sporting-like exercise. NEAT includes all those activities that render us vibrant, unique, and independent beings.”
The office - it doesn’t have to be a twisted version of a horrible gym class anymore. You know, the kind of gym class where everyone stands along the sides of the foul line and waits their turn to sprint or climb or miss a lay up. Then after the jolt of activity… it’s to the back of line with you, practically motionless.
Instead, there’s the new Walkstation, unveiled today and reported on by Money, which integrates a specially-designed treadmill with an electric height-adjustable worksurfaces. Steelcase Inc. , a global office environments manufacturer and James Levine, MD, PhD, of the renowned Mayo Clinic teamed up with manufacturer TRUE Fitness Technology, Inc. to make a product that allows for slow walking during tasks ordinarily performed sitting down.
Dr. Levine’s proprietary N.E.A.T. research suggests that increased physical activity among sedentary workers may benefit the workplace environment and increase the overall health, focus and productivity of a workforce that is typically desk-based. “The Walkstation is not intended to provide a gym-style workout in the office; its purpose is not to cause users to raise their heart rates or work up a sweat,” Dr. Levine says.
“Chair-living has proven so enticing that we have forsaken our legs. It is now time to find ways to get us back onto our legs.” Even on Health Patio!
But if you cannot see yourself going on one more step around the grindstone of your work-a-day world, please consider this innovation: the EnergyPod is designed by MetroNaps, for powernapping at work. There’s rules on napping, so please read these terms of service first.
I’m willing to encourage you to ask for a nap room at work, if you disembark from your Walkstation and feel that mid-day energy dip. Just tell the boss that Health Patio says its OK.
If you have 3 extra minutes and just need a little chuckle, watch November (the cat) get on a treadmill:
