If you knew that something you do every single day could increase your risk of diabetes and heart disease, would you change it?
New research is stating that prolonged periods of sitting could cause both of these diseases.
Yes, you heard that right. The simple act of sitting could set you up for significant health risks.
The Research
The American Heart Association (AHA) came out with the statement about sitting and even went on to say that this even pertains to people who exercise regularly.
Deborah Rohm Young of Kaiser Permanente stated that the research is very suggestive of the fact that a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of chronic diseases.
The bottom line is that sitting for too long is not good for our health; we have to get up and move throughout the day.
Preventative Steps
So what actions do we take from here?
It’s recommended that we get at least thirty minutes of moderate exercise in per day. This could include activities such as brisk walking.
It’s all about moving the body more and sitting less.
For office workers who are strapped down to a desk all day, try getting up every hour or so to stretch your legs and move a bit. You could do a lap around the office or walk back and forth from the bathroom.
The important thing is that you aren’t sedentary for hours at a time.
When you think about it, our bodies aren’t created to sit at a desk all day. On the contrary, we are designed to move and be active. For this reason, sitting for prolonged periods of time is even detrimental to someone who exercises daily.
It’s impossible to overcome the adverse effects of sedentary sitting with just one hour of physical activity at the gym per day.
While it’s great to get that hour of gym time in each day, it’s important to get moving throughout the day as well.
Tips on Getting Moving
- Take hourly breaks to walk during the workday
- Take a brisk walk on your lunch break
- Do jumping jacks and a quick workout every morning before you get dressed
- Do a quick workout during TV commercial breaks
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NBC News. URL Link Accessed February 21, 2017
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