I’ve got some good news for you today – especially if you work behind a desk most of the time.
Do you remember a few years ago, when all the headlines blared that “Sitting is the New Smoking”?
Basically, researchers looked into the health risks of sitting for hours at a time, and the conclusion was that if you sit a lot, your risk of dying was the same as that of a smoker – even if you exercise.
The good news is that, while those headlines might have started with a grain of truth, they weren’t 100% accurate. Big surprise, right? This kind of clickbait headline is everywhere.
While studies have shown that while sitting isn’t great for you, it’s definitely not as bad as smoking. This is according to new research from Canada, Australia, and the U.S. who published a study in the American Journal of Public Health.
Sitting more than 8 hours a day DOES increase your risk of premature death and developing some chronic diseases by 10% to 20% … but it’s nowhere in the same ballpark as smoking, which boosts the risk of early death by 180%!
Here’s the even better news. If you must sit a lot, there are some things you can do to offset the risk of developing diseases related to being sedentary.
Basically, it all boils down to being as active as possible when you’re NOT sitting.
At work, go for walks or move around during your breaks. And when you are NOT at work, get up and MOVE.
“Sitting is the New Smoking”
Researchers found the risks of ‘excess sitting’ could be mostly offset by getting about an hour of moderate to vigorous exercise every day.
Now, this might not be possible every single day, but attending a class or training session at least 3 to 4 days a week will help rack up your weekly total. Then going for a 20-minute walk at lunch and after dinner could make up the difference.
Gardening, playing sports, or engaging in active hobbies will also help.
AND, while you are at your desk, try these tips to make it the best you can:
- Get up and walk around as frequently as possible. Set a timer so you get up to stretch at least once an hour.
- Make sure you stay hydrated. Drink water. Bonus: keep a small water bottle on your desk, and fill it up a few times a day. This will help you get more steps in too.
- Double-check that your chair is set to the right height and supports you properly.
- Be mindful of your posture while you’re sitting.
- Take walking meetings, if that’s an option. If you’re discussing a project with a coworker, take the meeting outside for a quick walk. This also can encourage creativity.
Remember: your body needs and craves MOVEMENT. It will help keep you healthy, fit, and feeling great.
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What do you do to stay active and limber throughout the day? Please share in the comments below!
