Taking a 5 Minute Break at Work Reduces Disease Risk

A five-minute break at work for every two hours can help workers reduce the risk of developing heart ailments, cancer, diabetes and even early death.

Are you working in an office? Well, the chances are you might sit hunched over at your desk all through the day. Whereas, in the Philippines, it’s a must to take breaks like to stand up or walk around at regular intervals, reveals a new study. //

The country's Department of Labor and Employment introduced these new rules on the 18th of October and would come to effect in two weeks.

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‘Employers need to encourage workers to take breaks every two hours to reduce the risk of developing heart ailments, cancer, and diabetes.’

Local media reports saying that office workers must be given a five-minute break for every two hours, according to the new rules.

"(Employers) Must encourage workers to reduce sedentary work by interrupting sitting time and substitute it with standing and walking," Philstar Global quotes the Department of Labor and Employment as saying.

Employers must ensure that workstations are designed accordingly for work, states the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

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Doctors suggest that sedentary lifestyle, stress and smoking are increasingly responsible for marked increase in CVD, especially in young adults.

The employers can also consult their workers and adopt other measures to address the occupational safety and health problems of workers, especially for those who spend long hours sitting at work.

Sitting for prolonged periods can increase the risk of developing heart ailments, cancer, diabetes and can even cause early death.

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The results show that adults who sit continuously through two hours without even moving are at risk for higher mortality rate than those who take breaks in their sedentary work.

In a previous study, moderate exercises like cycling and walking for just an hour every day can eliminate the health risks that are associated with sitting for eight or more hours a day.

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Source-Medindia