Xbrick – multifunctional furniture for the healthy workplace
Xbrick - multifunctional furniture for the healthy workplace
- We are pleased about this contribution of our partner
meisterleistung GmbH | 360° Gesundheitsmanagement: Full Service Agency for Occupational Health Management!
“Sitting is the new smoking” this statement is heard again and again. While the trend of smoking is decreasing, the amount of time we spend sitting is increasing; and this can have health consequences.
Our metabolism shuts down while sitting, so not only are fewer calories burned, but the risk of diabetes and “calcification” of the coronary arteries increase. At the same time, many people complain of back and neck pain. Our body breaks down what it no longer needs. If we sit and thus use only a few muscles, muscles are broken down or can “shorten”, especially if we do not counteract this in our free time.
And yet the average German sits about 8.5 hours a day. While driving, in the home office, while eating, in the evening on the couch and above all at work in the office; everywhere we sit. But how can we counteract sitting and the associated risks?
By at least trying to avoid sitting for long periods of time. Many people have the longest sitting time at a stretch at work.
So how can the (predominantly sedentary) workday be made healthier?
To answer this question, we need to look at three different areas, the technical, the organizational and the personal level.
Technical level
At the workplace, there are various options that can prevent problems from sitting. For example, there are height-adjustable tables, which can then also be used for standing work.
In addition, there are often many different settings on the chair, so that in addition to the height, the armrests, and the backrest can be adjusted. Make sure that your chair is adjusted to suit you. Particularly high-quality chairs also have a so-called “dynamic seat function”, in which the chair yields somewhat and thus the muscles have to “work harder”.
Organizational level
Many activities simply have to be done at the computer, but try to make all appointments in your workday that do not have to be held at a computer in a different posture. For example, meetings could be held outside, standing up, or maybe even taking a walk.
Personal level
As a consulting company in the field of BGF and BGM, we repeatedly come across four behaviors in everyday life that you can personally change to counteract the consequences of sitting a lot:
1. Dynamic sitting
Movement is also possible while sitting, albeit on a smaller scale. Try to take advantage of this and change your posture while sitting as often as possible.
You should actively sit differently at least once or twice an hour. Or use the “dynamic sitting” function mentioned above if your chair allows you to do so.
2. Stand up in between
Getting a glass of water, printing something out, making a phone call or simply stretching for a moment: these are all good reasons to stand up briefly. Take advantage of such opportunities and try to add standing to your sedentary routine as often as possible. If you even have a table that can be raised, use it regularly! It’s best to make a little reminder in your computer so that you don’t forget to stand up in between.
3. Several short breaks
After just a few minutes of sitting, our metabolism shuts down, but to get it going again and again, it’s better to take several short breaks from standing and moving around rather than just one long one. Try to shake out your legs, stretch or do short movement exercises during this time.
4. Use muscles
In order to boost our metabolism while sitting and at the same time prevent tension, it is important to use our muscles while sitting. To do this, you can actively target and tense various muscle groups while sitting. For example, tighten the abdomen, the back or the buttocks, hold for a few seconds and relax again. Repeat the whole process a few times.
The Xbrick connects all three levels
With Xbrick, you can have multifunctional furniture in the workplace that makes all of the above points easy to implement and can improve health in the workplace. It enables technically dynamic sitting at work and even encourages it. Thanks to its light weight, the position of the Xbrick can be easily changed. Even getting up from time to time is no problem with Xbrick, even if the table isn’t elevating! Simply stack the desired number of Xbrick on top of each other and use them as a table. If you want to change the standing position, another Xbrick can function as a stool. There are numerous exciting positions you can try out.
Thanks to its light weight, the Xbrick can be taken anywhere, so even working outdoors in the summer is no problem. The Xbrick is the ideal tool not only as a piece of furniture, but also for exercise breaks. There are numerous different simple exercises you can do with it. To stretch your legs, for example, you can simply place the Xbrick flat on the floor, place one foot in the middle of the cube, and step onto the edge of the cube with the other foot. The heel of one foot will now extend beyond the cube. Press it down slightly to stretch your calf. Then simply stand the Xbrick upright, place your leg down, and stretch the back of your leg.
Even short strengthening exercises can be performed right in the office, whether you’re a couch potato or a sports fan. There are numerous exercises you can do with it; there are no limits to your creativity.
The conclusion from us
The Xbrick is a helpful “office tool” that can positively influence one’s own health behavior in a very low-threshold way. Therefore we say:
The Xbrick is also suitable as a BGF tool!
As you can see, the Xbrick is a true all-rounder. We at meisterleistung will show you in a 90-minute workshop how you can use it to promote the health of your employees. Here you can look forward to interesting variations of stretching and strengthening exercises with the Xbrick paired with expert knowledge on the subject of musculature and positive effects through a plus in movement!
Contact details
meisterleistung GmbH | 360° Gesundheitsmanagement
Königstraße 80
70173 Stuttgart
0711-2843010
www.meister-leistung.com
OFFER: 90 minutes workshop
in which the specialists for occupational health management show you how to use Xbrick to promote the health of your employees. Xbrick customers can book this workshop at a special price of 490€ instead of the regular 790€. Contact us for an attractive package offer for the purchase of Xbrick multifunctional furniture including the workshop “Occupational Health Management with Xbrick”.