GET OUT THAT CHAIR; IT’S KILLING YOU!

January 25, 2017

Sitting for prolonged periods is something we can’t avoid, whether it’s sitting in front of a computer at work, behind the wheel, or sitting with the kids watching television. Sitting around for extended periods of time has never done anyone any good. Yes we engage in physical activity; early morning jogs, power walks, jumping jacks and the rest of em, but we return right back to our active sedentary lifestyle.

One or two hours of work out or physical activity cannot offset the other twenty-something hours damage caused by sitting on our behind for the greater part of the day.

The impact of sitting on out bodies as seen in the chart below is scary. The logical solution to this is quite obvious; less sitting. But try as we might, this is something we can’t avoid. Right?

Wrong. No matter how many hours you are at work, there is always a way.

You could achieve more with these tips;

• Schedule breaks away from the computer/television.

• WALK. Put in your steps. Walk to get that coffee, walk to the next room to pick up that file. Walk down the stairs, walk up the stairs. Walk whilst on the phone. Walk across the room to talk to your co-worker instead of sending an email, take a longer route as much as you can. Just walk!

• Engage in simple exercises at your desk. Leg raises, stretches chair sit-ups, periodic standing are great examples.

• Get your sitting posture right. Sit at the right angle, with a well positioned chair preferably without arm rests.

Despite the fact that it’s almost impossible to give up an active sedentary lifestyle, these little things if done religiously will go a long way in saving our lives.

It time to take a break from sitting. We need to get out of that chair and start living.