Recent surveys estimate more than 6.7 million Australians \u2013 almost half of all workers, and the majority in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra \u2013 work from home at least some of the time in paid or unpaid roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With that increase in working from home, it\u2019s easy to spend too long sitting \u2013 which is now recognised as bad for our health. Many of us now know what it feels like to sit at a computer all day, then once finished with work, simply transfer across to the living room couch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When we have to physically go into our workplace, it\u2019s easier to get incidental activity: from leaving the house, to walking and standing in an active commute, walking to talk to a colleague, go out to get lunch and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With many Australians not reaching physical activity guidelines, could we be strategically using an under desk treadmill or walking pad to walk while we work?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The benefits of walking are now widely substantiated. For instance, studies that have got people to increase their weekly walking have made profound and consistent benefit to health outcomes, such as improving blood pressure and glucose tolerance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recent evidence has converged in on 7,000 steps being a target for daily steps when considering prevention of many diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The World Health Organization has also reverted its recommendations from previously saying physical activity must be done in at least 10-minute bouts to \u201cevery move counts\u201d, regardless of duration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n