What's wrong with sitting?
Smoking, drugs, alcohol, junk food – if we’re concerned about our health, we think we know what to look out for. Sitting seems harmless – it certainly doesn’t look like a risky behavior.
We spend a lot of time sitting.
Sitting is not inherently bad. What’s wrong is the lack of movement that takes place when you sit for hour after hour after hour. Your body was made to move. Too much sitting and it doesn’t function at its best.
Many studies show that spending too many hours a day sitting contributes to a variety of health problems:
- heart disease
- diabetes
- obesity
- cancer
- disability
- premature death
There is good news.
It’s easy to sit less. All you hae to do is stand up more often! Walking is even better.
When you watch tv, stand up or walk in place part of the time, or just take standing breaks at commercials or other regular intervals.
When you talk on the phone, why not pace around the room?
At work or studying, try to get up every hour – even just a few minutes of standing or walking are helpful.
If you really want to minimize sitting time, look into getting a standing desk.
When you watch tv, stand up or walk in place part of the time, or just take standing breaks at commercials or other regular intervals.
When you talk on the phone, why not pace around the room?
At work or studying, try to get up every hour – even just a few minutes of standing or walking are helpful.
If you really want to minimize sitting time, look into getting a standing desk.
You don’t need to work up a sweat to improve your health. Obviously, exercise is recommended, but your body will also benefit from simply sitting less. Try paying attention to your sitting habits, and see if you can cut down. Your body will thank you!
For more information about the health risk of too much sitting, check out these articles:
Even for the active, a long sit shortens life and erodes health
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-sitting-health-20150119-story.html
Sit More, And You're More Likely To Be Disabled After Age 60
http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/02/19/279460759/sit-more-and-youre-more-likely-to-be-disabled-after-age-60
Sedentary lifestyle in older women 'ages body cells'
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-38665668
