The human body was designed to hunt, gather or tend to crops and not to sit all day. However, modern television, computers and desk jobs have forced people to spend far longer sitting down than standing up.

This has serious consequences for the weight, posture, fitness levels and ultimately the lifespan of many people.

Physical inactivity has been identified as the fourth-leading risk factor for death in people all around the world, according to the World Health Organisation. Research has found that excessive sitting can contribute to the following health issues: leg problems leading to dangerous blood clots, insulin spikes, slowed brain function, weak bones (osteoporosis), sore back, stiff spine, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, higher rate of cancer, decrease hip mobility, feeble glutes and arthritis due to poor posture.

It turns out that even if we exercise regularly, eat healthily and even appear to be fit, it is not enough to offset the damage to our bodies caused by sitting six to eight hours every day.

Here are some suggestions of what you can do at the office to help you sit less:

    • Be aware of how much you are sitting so that you can make a goal of reducing the number a little bit each week.
    • Try a standing desk or stand up for a minute or three once every half an hour.
    • Walk around the office once an hour. For instance, grab a coffee or refill your water bottle.
    • Arrange walking meetings within your team.
    • Walk over to a colleague’s desk instead of calling or emailing him or her.
    • Use your lunch break to go for a walk.
    • Make use of apps, such as “Stand Up! The Work Break Timer”, that will alert you when it’s time to stand up and get moving.

According to research, it is not necessarily the act of sitting that is killing us, but the lack of movement to counter balance the hours we spend sitting. You need to move around the office at least once an hour to make your blood flow to your brain, organs and bones.

Don’t be a sitting duck for serious health issues. For overall health, it doesn’t really matter what you do, as long as you’re breaking up long periods of sitting with movement.

 

Sources
www.businessinsider.com
www.edition.cnn.com
www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle
www.nydailynews.com