Sitting for
long periods of time has been linked to a number of health concerns, including
obesity, heart disease and even cancer. How long do you sit at the computer?
The Mayo Clinic advises us to read this: According to one study, people who
spend more than four hours a day in front of a screen have a higher risk of
early death in general and a higher risk of events related to heart disease,
such as chest pain or heart attack.
But sitting in
front of the TV isn't the only concern. Any extended sitting — such as behind a
desk at work or behind the wheel — can be harmful. What's more, even fitting in
some moderate or vigorous activity doesn't seem to significantly offset the
risk of sitting most of the time.
The solution?
Sit less and move more overall. You might start by simply standing rather than
sitting whenever you have the chance.
For example:
- Stand
while talking on the phone or eating lunch.
- If you
work at a desk for long periods of time, try a standing desk — or
improvise with a high table or counter.
Better yet,
think about ways to walk while you work:
- Walk laps
with your colleagues rather than gathering in a conference room for
meetings.
- Position
your work surface above a treadmill — with a computer screen and keyboard
on a stand or a specialized treadmill-ready vertical desk — so that you
can be in motion throughout the day.
The impact of
movement — even leisurely movement — can be profound. For starters, you'll burn
more calories. This can lead to weight loss and increased energy.
Plus, the
muscle activity needed for standing and other movement seems to trigger
important reactions related to the breakdown of fats and sugars within the
body. When you sit, these responses stall — and your health risks increase.
When you're standing or actively moving, you kick the processes back into
action.
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