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Whether it’s time spent working (in the office, school or home), driving, eating or watching TV, the impacts of our sedentary lifestyles may be one of the most unanticipated health threats of our modern time.
The facts about physical inactivity reveal a growing concern.1
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, prolonged periods of sitting increase the risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke and death, even among people who exercise regularly.2
Current research is showing that sedentary time is rising. On average, U.S. adults now spend an estimated 12 hours a day engaged in sedentary behavior, which includes sitting, driving, reading, TV viewing, screen time and computer use.3
The term “sitting disease” has been coined by the scientific community and is commonly used when referring to the ill-effects of an overly sedentary lifestyle.
Even if you engage in the recommended 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week, you may still experience the negative impact of too much sitting.
You can alternate between sitting and standing every 30 minutes for improved health.
Standing and moving more may help you make positive changes for your health.4 It can help:
Reduce major health risk factors
Support bone health and reduce the risk of osteoporosis
Enhance brain power and improve mood state
Burn calories and tone body composition
Improve circulation
Aid in pain relief
You can make small changes that may reduce your sitting time. For example, you can:
Stand while folding laundry
Do a light workout while watching TV or stand or stretch during commercial breaks
Park farther away from where you are going
Stand during conference calls
Stand up or walk during phone calls
Make shorter meetings “standing” meetings, if you are the organizer
If you sit at work, take a 1- to 2-minute break every hour to stand or walk around
Take the stairs
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