Many of us find ourselves regularly sitting and leaving behind a desk for the majority of our lifestyle. Sitting and lying down can increase your risk for a number of chronic health problems. Being sedentary puts us at a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancers, and more. It’s been shown that sitting can be just as dangerous as smoking to our health and by layering in minutes of movement and standing throughout the day can be an excellent way to keep you healthy without the cost of a gym or special equipment.
Our bodies were not built to spend an entire day sitting. Our cardiovascular system and heart need to function effectively and if they are not put into motion from time to time, it can place these systems at risk. Our digestion also functions much more efficiently when we stand up straight. Physical activity is also needed for our bones and muscles to maintain strength.
People that sit all day regularly experience a series of issues affecting their weight, posture, hips and back. Regular sitting for long-standing intervals will often lead to problems with muscle strands, obesity, and ongoing conditions of chronic pain.
Anxiety and depression can are at an all-time high for people that live sedentary lifestyles. There is a distinct link between mental health and physical activity.
To help your mental and physical health here are 5 tips to help you add more movement into your day.
- Take phone calls or meetings standing.
- Try inviting your colleagues for a walk-and-talk meeting.
- Enjoy your lunch outside (bonus you get some vitamin D from the sun along with those steps).
- Take a lap around the office (or the house) every time you have to use the bathroom.
- Set a timer to stretch every 30-60 minutes. Bonus, look outdoors for 20 seconds to give your eyes a break from the close-up work we do on computers all day.
- Bonus: Do a lap around the block after work as a way to signal the end of your work day.
Do your part to provide your body with a welcome relief from sitting at a desk all day.