Is sitting the new smoking?
Have you heard? Sitting is the new smoking.
After a year of slower-than-normal life thanks to social distancing restrictions and the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are sitting more often than usual. And this is proving detrimental to their health.
According to studies, over 25% of American adults sit for more than 8 hours every day. 44% of those people get little to no exercise. Binge-watching is also on the rise with the average American watching 3+ hours of TV daily. On top of that staggering statistic, average Americans are seeing less than 20 minutes of activity every day. And this is having terrible effects on our overall health.
People who fall into these patterns have a greater risk of disease and death than their more active counterparts. Including a 112% increased risk of diabetes, 147% increased risk of cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack and stroke. A 99% increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. And a 49% increased risk of death from any cause.
Those statistics are scary! The good news is, unlike smoking which can be a difficult habit to kick, moving your body is easy to accomplish. Now that you’re aware of the detriments of sitting all day, let’s talk about some solutions to start practicing.
Park your car toward the back of the lot. Even if you’re job requires a lot of sitting, you still have errands that need to be run. Skip the drive-up lines that have been made popular over the last year, park at the back, and walk inside get what you need. It doesn’t seem like much, be these extra steps add up.
Make it a goal to move every hour. Set a timer on your phone or listen to those smart watch cues. Don’t get stuck in the same position for hours on end. Get up and move around. Even if it’s just a couple laps around the office or living room.
Use your lunch break. While it’s nice to relax during mealtimes, if you’ve been sitting all morning, they make great posture breaks. You don’t need to break a sweat to make the most out of your lunchtime opportunities. Take your sandwich to go. Walk to the closest lunch spot. Or grab something quick and easy and spend the second half of your break getting your steps in.
Make every day exercise a priority. Our bodies need exercise. On top of the health risks associated with chronic sitting, our moods and mental health can be affected too. We’re meant to be active, mobile creatures. Start prioritizing your immediate activity for long term benefits.
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