9 Ways How Designers Can Prevent Sedentary Lifestyle-Related Health Problems

In a constantly evolving world where new technologies are emerging daily, it's no wonder that many people have started to adopt sedentary lifestyles. Sitting all day at work and coming home to sit some more in front of the TV or computer has become the norm for many people. And this is not good. A sedentary lifestyle has been linked with health problems such as obesity, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. So what can be done to prevent these problems? Here are a few suggestions for designers to incorporate into their work.

1. Design Ergonomic Furniture

Designers have always been concerned about the comfort of the people who use their furniture. One of the earliest design concerns was how to make chairs that would be comfortable for people to sit in for long periods. With the advent of gaming and Internet use, the need for ergonomic furniture has become even more critical. You need the best gaming chair to avoid back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome as a gamer. It would help if you had an ergonomic desk and chair to prevent neck and shoulder strain as a computer user.

The ergonomic design considers the human body's natural movements and posture. It aims to create furniture that supports these movements, reducing strain on the body and promoting comfort. This can significantly prevent sedentary lifestyle-related health problems, as it encourages good posture and allows for movement while sitting or using technology.

2. Design Spaces That Encourage Physical Activity

A sedentary lifestyle can lead to all sorts of health problems. To prevent the health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle, designers should create spaces encouraging physical activity. One way to do this is by incorporating features into the design of the space that make it easy for people to move around. This could be as simple as adding a few extra square feet of workspace or including a walking path in the office layout. 

While physical activity is essential, it's also vital to ensure that the space is designed so that people will feel comfortable using it for social interaction. This could mean incorporating lounge areas into the design or providing spaces conducive to group work. It's also important to ensure that the space is visually appealing and welcoming, so people will feel comfortable using it.

3. Incorporate Standing Desks

In recent years, there has been a lot of discussion about the health risks associated with sitting for long periods. A sedentary lifestyle has been linked with health problems such as obesity, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. So what can be done to prevent these problems? One suggestion is to incorporate standing desks into the workplace.

Standing desks have become increasingly popular in recent years as more and more people are becoming aware of the health risks associated with sitting for long periods. Standing desks allow employees to stand while they work, which can help reduce the time they spend sitting each day. This can help to improve their overall health and reduce the risk of developing some serious health problems.

There are several different types of standing desks available on the market, so it's essential to choose one that is right for you. Some standing desks are adjustable, so you can switch between sitting and standing depending on your needs. Others are designed specifically for use with a laptop or tablet. Whichever type you choose, make sure it is comfortable and fits nicely into your work routine.

4. Promote the Use of Stairs Over Elevators

There is a choice between taking the elevator or using the stairs in many buildings. While it may be convenient to take the elevator, using the stairs can provide some significant health benefits. Incorporating staircases into building designs and promoting their use can encourage physical activity and prevent sedentary lifestyle-related health problems.

One way to promote stairs is by making them easily accessible and visually appealing. This could involve incorporating design elements such as natural light or interesting art displays on the walls. It's also vital to ensure they are well-maintained and safe for use.

Another suggestion is to limit access to elevators during certain times or for certain floors, encouraging people to use the stairs instead. Providing incentives, such as a monthly stair-climbing challenge, can encourage using stairs over elevators.

5. Incorporate Nature Into Designs

Incorporating nature into designs is one way to help people live more healthily. The natural world is full of beauty and wonder, and incorporating it into our lives can only be good. When we take the time to appreciate the natural world, we are rewarded with a sense of peace and calm that is hard to find elsewhere.

Designers have long been inspired by nature and for a good reason. There are so many beautiful things to learn from it. Nature has been around for billions of years, and during that time, it has evolved some truly ingenious solutions to problems. By looking at nature, designers can gain insights into creating more efficient, sustainable designs that better meet the needs of people and the environment.

There are many ways in which designers can incorporate nature into their work. They can use natural materials in their designs or borrow ideas from plant or animal forms. They can also create spaces encouraging people to connect with nature or use plants and other elements to improve indoor air quality. Whatever approach they choose, integrating nature into design benefits both people and the planet.

6. Design for Entertainment That Includes Movement

Many people are turning to more active forms of entertainment to combat the health risks of a sedentary lifestyle. Unfortunately, most traditional forms of entertainment – watching TV, movies, and playing video games – don't involve much movement. This can be a problem for people trying to lead healthier lives.

Fortunately, some new types of entertainment do involve movement. For example, several fitness games now allow you to play while you work out. There are also virtual reality games that allow you to move around in the game world. And finally, there are now several apps and websites that allow you to watch videos or listen to music while you work out. All these options can help keep you entertained while you stay active.

Another possibility is to design traditional forms of entertainment that encourage movement. This could include designing equipment or structures for outdoor sports, playgrounds, or even a simple backyard obstacle course. By incorporating movement into entertainment, designers can play a role in helping prevent sedentary lifestyle-related health problems.

7. Promote Physical Activity in Advertisements and Marketing Materials

Advertisers have long known that one of the most effective ways to get people to buy their products is to persuade them that using them will make them look and feel better. In fact, for many years, the primary focus of advertising has been on creating a need in consumers for the product being advertised. This need is then supposedly fulfilled by purchasing and using the product.

However, in recent years there has been a shift toward ads that focus on promoting healthy lifestyles. These ads typically feature physically active and happy people who presumably lead healthier lives because of their products. While it is still common to see ads for unhealthy foods and drinks, there are also increasing ads promoting physical activity and good nutrition.

8. Encourage the Use of Fitness Technology

Technology has taken over our lives. And while there are many negative aspects to this, the fact is that technology can also be a powerful tool for positive change. In particular, fitness technology can be incredibly effective in helping people get and stay healthy.

Now, all sorts of devices and apps can help you track your activity levels, monitor your heart rate, and even count the calories you burn. Using this data, you can set personal goals and track your progress toward them. This type of feedback is essential for staying motivated and seeing results.

In addition to using fitness technology on your own, you can also encourage others to do so. Showing clients or colleagues how easy it is to use these tools and how much they can benefit from them is a great way to get them on board with using fitness technology as part of their overall health strategy.

9. Encourage Walkable Communities

One of the main reasons so many people lead sedentary lifestyles is that they don't have easy access to places where they can be physically active. This is often due to the layout of their communities, which may not contain sidewalks or bike lanes or may be lacking in parks and recreational facilities.

As a designer, you can work with community leaders to encourage development that promotes walkability and physical activity. This can involve things like designing sidewalks and bike lanes, creating more green spaces, and ensuring that there are accessible recreational facilities. By actively promoting walkable communities, you can help make it easier for people to lead physically active lifestyles.

It's important to remember that physical activity isn't just about individual choices – it also involves the environment in which we live. As a designer, you have the power to shape that environment and promote healthier lifestyles for those around you. So don't hesitate to advocate for walkable communities – they can significantly impact preventing sedentary lifestyle-related health problems.