Are you sitting comfortably?
/Did you know that sitting down for too many hours every day can seriously impact your health? I wonder how many of you have just stood up!
Sitting facts:
- Research estimates that if you cut back on the time spent sitting down to under 3 hours a day in total, it could add two years to your life expectancy.
- An analysis of 18 studies found that people who sat for the longest periods of time were twice as likely to have or develop Type 2 Diabetes or heart disease, compared to those that sat the least.
Although a daily workout is absolutely essential for your health offering many physical and mental benefits, its equally important what you do in-between and if that is mainly sitting down in an office, at home or travelling try these suggestions below.
Here are some tips to get you moving:
- Aim to not sit down for more than 15 minutes at a time without standing up or taking a quick walking break.
- Try standing up when you talk on the phone or use your computer/ipad etc.
- Try and cut down on your TV time each day and incorporate regular standing breaks into your viewing time. (Go and make a cup of tea for example).
- Simple body stretches performed after sitting down will help your circulation.
- Do small bouts of exercise throughout the day. Every hour or two, take the opportunity to do some squats, standing lunges, high knees, toe touches, or push-ups against the wall. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy, complicated, or long. Just a few minutes will do!
Click on this link to read further information on the subject www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-32082387