You may have heard the phrase “sitting is the new smoking”. While that may be a stretch, there’s growing evidence that spending long hours slumped over a computer, driving or parked on a couch is bad for your health.
The problem is that the human body wasn’t designed to sit all day.
According to VicHealth, time spent sitting is consistently associated with premature death, diabetes and cardiovascular disease – even if you exercise regularly.
Australian office workers sit for an average of 75 per cent of their working days and are among those most at risk, along with those in the transportation industry and highly mechanised trades.
Sitting down too much could also be the cause of that sore back or aching neck.
But for office workers and those who enjoy a few hours on the couch, the dangers can be easily reduced. Try these simple steps:
• Get up and move at least once every 30 minutes.
• Have walking meetings.
• Stand and stretch during meetings.
• Use the bathroom on another floor.
• Stand when taking phone calls.
• Place the bin on the other side of the room so you need to walk to it.
• Use a standing desk.
• When watching TV at home, walk around during ad breaks.
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