Working at a desk all day is not for everyone, and actually can be detrimental to human health.
According to a study published in BMC Research Notes, the average desk-based employee spends more than 70 percent of their workday sitting indoors and staring at their computer screen.
Unfortunately, a desk job has many consequences for health, including increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Studies show that when you sit down all day:
Your risk of heart disease increases by 64%
Risk for Type 2 diabetes increases by 112%
50% more fat is developed on certain areas of the body
Additionally:
LED screen exposure increases retina cell death by 23%
Breast & prostate cancer risks increase by 30%
Keyboards have 5x more bacteria than bathrooms!
As human beings, we thrive in changing scenery — which is hard to come by in a monotonous desk-job setting. Fortunately, some industries provide the opportunity to work outside in an exciting setting.
Quality Roofing, a family-owned Marshfield and Menomonie-based commercial roofer, witnesses the benefits of working outside firsthand.
“At Quality Roofing, workers spend their days in the fresh air and sunshine. There are a wide variety of tasks to keep things interesting and a regular change of scenery,” said Mark Begotka, co-owner. “There is also plenty of personal space to enjoy, instead of a dark cubicle or crowded office setting.”
Studies show that trees, natural light, and outdoor air can positively impact well-being. While not every worker can hunker down outside for the day, outdoor lunches, walking meetings, and outside workspaces can make a huge difference in our health and well-being at work.
For those seeking more time in the great outdoors, a career in roofing is a great choice.
Here’s what science reveals to be the benefits of working outdoors:
Memory improvement – walking among trees is shown to increase short-term memory by 20%
Blood pressure monitor – a 30-minute walk outdoors can lower your pulse by 4% and high blood pressure risk by 9%
Teamwork improvement – studies show exposure to nature can improve feelings of trust, community, and goodwill
Mood enhancer – a study found that people felt 20% better after walking in a park, reporting less tension and more enthusiasm
Energy boost – 20 minutes in the open air provides energy equal to a cup of coffee
Creativity boost – Walking in nature can boost creative problem-solving skills by 60%
Stress reducer – Cortisol levels are lowered by 12% and relaxation state increases by 55%
Cleaner air – outdoor air quality is up to 10 times less toxic than indoor air
Immune system boost – Breathing in outdoor airborne plant chemicals for 3 days can increase white blood cells for a month
Sleep aid – exposure to natural light can provide an average of 46 more minutes of sleep
Vitamin D burst – sunlight supplies 90% of our vitamin D, which protects against arthritis, dementia, and autoimmune disease
Depression relief – sunlight provides 166 times more light than office lights, preventing sunlight deprivation and seasonal depression
Fewer sick days – studies show exposure to outdoor light can decrease your annual sick leave by 2 days
Focus restoration – starting at green scenery can improve concentration by 8%
Pain relief- studies show that nature can reduce inflammatory levels
Health improvement – being outdoors can lower early mortality risk by 12%
Calorie burner – environmental stress can help burn up to 440 calories per hour during physical activity.
“Quality Roofing is currently seeking motivated individuals who would enjoy a fun career working hands-on with a team,” said Begotka. “Starting wage is $18. Apply here!”.
Sources available at https://www.bigrentz.com/blog/benefits-of-working-outdoors
