Research has shown that sitting is extremely harmful to a person’s health.
When you’re sedentary for too long, you may encounter problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, depression, cancer and diabetes.
Laura Kenedy, Professor of Practice at Creighton University, says studies have shown that you can’t counteract the effects of sitting by going to the gym.
She says you have to stand more and move more. Kenedy says it all starts with being aware of how much you sit throughout a normal day, including at work.
"We almost forget to get up and move so every hour it’s a really good idea to get up and move for 5 or 10 minutes, whatever you can do. Take the long way to the restroom or the printer or the copier instead of going there directly. Maybe take some extra steps in your path. If they work in a smaller office building, maybe if it’s nice outside, they can do a couple laps outside the building to take a break.”
Other things you can do at work include having walking or standing meetings and using a sit-to-stand desk.
Kenedy says while you’re sitting at home watching TV, try to work in more movement by getting up on the commercials and moving around or walking up and down the stairs.
She says standing and walking more can improve posture, burn extra calories and tone muscles.