You're probably sitting in a chair as you read this and according to the findings of several recent studies, you may also be harming your health. These studies observed both the short and long-term impact that sitting for the majority of the day can have on a person's health. If you are working a job that requires you to sit all day, then it is important to understand how this may be harming you.
Why Sitting All Day May Shorten Your Life
Sitting for a significant period of your day appears to have a number of different risks. Some of the most serious of these include higher risk of heart disease, obesity stroke, a slower metabolism, and higher cholesterol levels. All of these are obviously very serious and should be avoided at all costs. Many people believe that if they exercise sufficiently, it will make up for the extended periods they spend sitting but this isn't the case. Studies have indicated that while exercise is an important part of avoiding these issues, it cannot completely make up for sitting for much of the day. If you have an office job you may be wondering what you can do to avoid these potential risks.
What You Can Do To Mitigate This Risk
Unfortunately, if you have an office job it can be difficult to avoid sitting for a large part of your day. If you're in this situations, then there are a few important ways you should try minimize the impact this has on your health. Though exercise doesn't make up for sitting during most of the day, it is still an important way to maintain your overall cardiovascular health. Try to get in at least 30 minutes a day. Another important tip is to try to move around during the day to interrupt the time you spend sitting. Even if you just walk around the office for a few minutes every hour, you may be able to significantly lessen the detrimental effects of sitting for long periods. Finally, consider switching to a standing desk. These have been growing in popularity recently due to the medical findings about sitting and represent an easy way to deal with this problem. You may find these uncomfortable at first, but you will quickly get used to it.