Prolonged sitting has such harmful health consequences. Too much sitting overall and prolonged periods of sitting also seem to increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer. One possible explanation is that it relaxes the largest muscles. When muscles relax, they take up very little glucose from the blood, raising the risk of type 2 diabetes and therefore prolonged sitting is unhealthy.
Any extended sitting — such as at a desk, behind a wheel or in front of a screen — can be harmful.
Sitting or standing by itself is harmless. It reduces stress and helps the body to recover from, for example, a sport activity.
Prolonged sitting and standing are the enemy of our health. However, the remedy – just getting up and walking around for 2 minutes – is simple.
In 2019, young people between the ages of 18 and 35 were exercising the most of all age groups, however, they sat for 10.3 hours on an average workday.
To improve the fact that sitting is unhealthy, exercise strengthens the immune system and reduces the risk of chronic diseases and physical disorders, such as:
- Cardiovascular disease;
- Diabetes;
- Depression symptoms;
- Back and neck problems.
Measures to break the sitting pattern
There are several ways to break the sitting habit and make sure that exercise becomes part of our daily life.
- Taking a walk for lunch;
- Biking to work;
- Talking on the phone or in meetings while standing;
- Using a sit-stand desk.
Finding new ways of working will lead to being more productive and give us the keys to get more done, make more money, and live life to the fullest. It is easy to slide into bad habits. But the solution is simple, just get up and walk around for 2 minutes.
Would like to learn more? Read 20 tips how to work more effectively.
