A recent global study reveals that our mental state begins to decline after just two hours of continuous desk work, but engaging in as little as 15 minutes of exercise can help reverse these negative effects. To highlight this crucial issue, ASICS has enlisted actor Brian Cox to take on the role of the world’s scariest boss in a powerful Public Service Announcement (PSA).
The findings of ASICS’s global State of Mind study, which involved 26,000 participants, indicate a strong correlation between sedentary behavior and mental well-being. The study found that as individuals remain inactive for extended periods, their State of Mind scores drop significantly. Stress levels start to rise after four hours of uninterrupted desk time, increasing by 18%. However, a new initiative called the Desk Break experiment demonstrates that a mere 15 minutes of movement can mitigate these adverse effects.
Supervised by Dr. Brendon Stubbs from King’s College London, the Desk Break experiment showed that when office workers incorporated just 15 minutes of movement into their workday, their mental state improved by 22.5%. Participants’ overall State of Mind scores surged from 62/100 to 76/100. The results indicated that 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% calmer and more resilient. Notably, 79.2% of participants expressed that they would be more loyal to their employers if offered regular movement breaks.
In the PSA, Brian Cox emphasizes the silent threat to mental health—the desk we work at every day. The message urges office workers to prioritize their mental health by taking regular Desk Breaks throughout the day.
Cox commented, “I’ve played some pretty intimidating characters in my time, but who would have thought a desk could be scarier? It’s great to see ASICS take action and encourage people to support their mental health through exercise. As I say in the film, run, jump, roller skate—I don’t care. Just move for your mind.”
To promote this initiative globally, ASICS is encouraging office-based employees to embrace movement for mental health. On World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2024, ASICS invites office workers to join the #DeskBreak movement, encouraging them to take a 15-minute Desk Break. Participants can share images of their empty desks, with each image raising funds for mental health charities worldwide.
Dr. Brendon Stubbs highlighted the findings, stating, “We have shown previously that just 15 minutes of exercise during leisure time can significantly improve people’s State of Mind scores. What surprised us with the Desk Break experiment was how powerful these 15-minute movement breaks were in enhancing well-being and reducing stress. It even positively changed people’s perceptions of their workplace.”
Gary Raucher, EVP of ASICS EMEA, added, “At ASICS, we champion the power of movement—not just for the body, but also for the mind. It’s why we’re called ASICS, an acronym for the Latin phrase ‘Anima Sana in Corpore Sano’ or ‘Sound Mind in a Sound Body.’ Our global study revealed that spending hours at your desk has a real and concerning impact on our minds. That’s why we wanted to deliver a powerful message from the world’s scariest boss to inspire people to move their minds.”
ASICS aims to inspire office workers around the globe to prioritize their mental health and well-being through regular movement breaks. As the date approaches, the brand hopes to see widespread participation in the #DeskBreak movement, helping to foster a healthier work environment for all.
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