Our modern sedentary lifestyles, both at home and in the work place, are costly for us and for our employers. Medical experts have started referring to long periods of physical inactivity and its negative consequences as “sitting disease.”
It is suggested that people who sit for long periods of time have an increased risk of disease. Even when adults meeting physical activity guidelines, sitting for prolonged periods can compromise metabolic health.
How much is TOO MUCH sitting?
Based on research from the American Cancer Society Study, women who were inactive and sat over 6 hours a day were 94% more likely to die during the time period than those who were physically active and sat less than 3 hours a day.
On the other hand, men who were inactive and sat over 6 hours daily were 48% more likely to die than their standing partners.
However, it is encouraged to stand a little more each day because it tones muscles, improves posture, increases blood flow, ramps up metabolism and burns extra calories. If that is what you are aiming for, give these tips a try whether you are in the work place or lounging at home.It might just do the trick!
In the workplace:
- 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.
- 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.
- Park your car as far as you can from any entrance you are using.
Around the house:
- Get up and move around every 25 minutes for about 5 minutes.
- Stand more often than sitting.
- Check your posture throughout the day while sitting.
- Exercise for at least 2 ½ hours a week.
- When watching television, use commercial time to get up and move.
- Invest in a standing desk for the office at home.
—————- Real Results! After Just 1 hour of daily standing ——————
- 55% of people feel more productive
- 2 out of 3 felt 100% better
- 37% reduced fatigue in body
- 53% experienced less tension
What do you have to lose except for the pain? The solution seems to be less sitting and more moving overall. You might start by simply standing rather than sitting whenever you have the chance or think about ways to walk while you work. For more tips and tricks on how to improve your wellness and reduce pain, check out our previous blogs at https://www.ocpain.net/blog/.
