Staying healthy at work can be difficult, from morning sweets brought in by a co-worker to long hours sitting at your desk, all these can factor into your long term health without you realizing it. New research is finding out that a sedentary lifestyle can be as detrimental to our health as smoking a pack of cigarettes every day. Here’s how your desk job is killing you slowly and tips on how to stay healthy at work.

“Sitting is so incredibly prevalent that we don’t even question how much we’re doing it. It doesn’t even occur to us that it’s not ok.” Nilofer Merchant said at TED 2013. An increase in the number of standing desks entering the workforce is positive but more can be done. A recent study from Career Builder states that 41 percent of people have gained weight at their jobs. Most of which can be attributed to snacking and sedentary tendencies. It’s not just about our activity levels on and off the clock but our eating habits as well.

While sitting for extended periods of time at work can be detrimental to your health, it’s also wise to consider the food you’re eating as well. Most companies are making the switch to healthier alternatives for their refreshment program. This can mean adding low-calorie options or a micro market full of fresh food. If your company is ready to make the switch, let us know.

Below are a few tips on how you can stay healthy at work!