Rehab & Exercise

Prolonged Sitting: Disadvantages and Precautions

Sitting for prolonged periods of time can present health problems and Health Products for You can show you the precautions to take.

One of Sir Isaac Newton’s laws of physics states that objects at rest will stay at rest until acted upon by an outside force. While this is one of the staples of physics, the same can be said for those who sit for prolonged periods of time. Many times, the outside force is motivation and a desire to be healthy. When we sit for long periods of time, a whole host of potential negative health issues can arise. We here at HPFY can fill you in on the disadvantages of sitting for long periods of time (at home or at work) and precautions to take to head off any negative health issues that can rear their ugly head.

Potential hazards of long sitting hours?

Sitting may seem like a benign activity without any negative ramifications. Who hasn’t sat for long periods of time and felt the discomfort that being idle for that long can cause? Besides the stiffness and discomfort of sitting for extended periods, there are actual serious health issues that can arise due to prolonged sitting. Some of these issues include:

• Obesity
• Increased blood pressure
• High blood sugar
• High cholesterol
• Poor blood circulation
• Muscle atrophy
• Diabetes
• Chronic pain

As you can see, prolonged sitting comes with some truly unwanted health side effects. There even seems to be a link between sitting for long periods of time and an increased risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease that can even lead to death. I’m no genius, but I know that’s bad!!

Reduce Your Risk

For most of us, completely avoiding sitting for long periods of time at work may seem nearly impossible. So how do we minimize these negative effects of prolonged sitting? Studies have shown that these bad side effects of prolonged sitting can be countered by moderate exercise for 60-70 minutes a day. That may sound like a lot, but the consequences of shunning this activity are far too dire. There are five simple, every day changes you can make at work or at home to offset these negative impacts, for example:

1. Stop Sitting: Try to take a break from sitting every 30-35 minutes and just stand up and move around.
2. Try Standing: When talking on the phone or even watching television around the house, shun the horizontal position and do these activities vertically. It’s worth it!!
3. Change Your Work Environment: If you sit at a desk for long periods of time, try switching to a sit/stand desk. This allows you to take your computer or other tasks from a seated position to standing. Even try a peddler for underneath your desk. Nobody will know.
4. Mobile Meetings: Instead of having meetings in a conference room or office, take the group for a walk outside or around the building if the weather won’t permit it. Talk about thinking on your feet!!
5. Think Outside the Box: If possible, try to position your workspace over a treadmill. This can be done in a home setting or at the office with your boss’s permission.

At work, don’t waste your lunchtime sitting around. Feel free to go outside and take a walk in nice weather. Feel free to do the same at home!! This movement (instead of sitting around) should not be underestimated, even if it’s minuscule or leisurely. Not only will you burn more calories to avoid weight gain, but it can lead to increased energy and more productivity at work. I don’t think there is any boss anywhere who would be against increased productivity and a healthier workforce.

Leading a sedentary life can lead to a plethora of negative health issues. Change begins with baby steps and has great upsides. As always, you should consult your physician before beginning any type of exercise routine to be sure what you are doing is safe. Simply moving a little bit at work or at home can help offset the negative side effects of prolonged sitting.

 

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