Ahead of World Mental Health Day (10 October), ASICS has shared findings of a global study that shows that our mental state starts to decline after only two hours of continuous desk-based working, but just 15 minutes of exercise can help to reverse the effects.
ASICS’ global State of Mind study, involving 26,000 participants, including a nationally representative sample size from Australia, revealed a strong connection between sedentary behaviour and mental wellbeing.
State of Mind scores were found to decline the longer individuals remain inactive, with Australians who are sedentary for 10 to 12 hours a day reporting a significantly lower State of Mind score of 45/100 versus those who were sedentary for only 4 to 6 hours a day 63/100.
Further research into desk-based working found that after just two hours of continuous desk work State of Mind scores begin to drop and stress levels rise. After four hours of uninterrupted desk time, workers’ stress levels increased significantly by 18%.
However, a new Desk Break experiment shows that just 15 minutes of movement can help to reverse the effects.
The Desk Break experiment, overseen by Dr Brendon Stubbs from King’s College London, found that when office workers added just 15 minutes of movement into their working day, their mental state improved by 22.5% with participants’ overall State of Mind scores increasing from 62/100 to 76/100.
The experiment showed:
- Taking a daily Desk Break for just one week lowered stress levels by 14.7%, boosted productivity by 33.2% and improved focus by 28.6%.
- Participants reported feeling 33.3% more relaxed and 28.6% more calm and resilient.
- 79.2% of participants said they would be more loyal to their employers if offered regular movement breaks.
“We have shown previously that just 15 minutes of exercise in leisure time can result in a meaningful improvement in people’s State of Mind scores,” said Dr Stubbs.
“But what surprised us with the Desk Break experiment was how powerful the 15 minute movement breaks were in improving wellbeing and reducing stress. It even changed people’s perceptions of their workplace for the better.”
ASICS has enlisted actor Brian Cox to deliver a warning to the world to get away from their desks and move for their mental health in a powerful public service announcement.
Office workers can exercise their right to move their minds by proposing a desk break as part of their company’s working day.
On World Mental Health Day, ASICS is inviting office workers to join the #DeskBreak movement and feel the mental benefits.
