Why Sitting Is So Bad for Us
By Sandy Schroeder
We may wonder why sitting has become so bad for us. In the past countless jobs in all sorts of fields required people to sit a lot, but now there are differences in total amount of sitting and the other activity levels involved.
In the past, sitting was interspersed with lots of other activities and chores. There were dishes to wash, clothes to wash and floors to be scrubbed.
WebMD tells us what can happen when we sit too much.
The pounds just add up - If you sit all day at work and then hang out on the couch at night, your chances of being overweight go way up. Exercise will slow it down, but you really need to add more exercise to your day and activities to your evening.
Often anxiety builds - If you find yourself sitting alone in front of a screen, you may gradually withdraw from friends and family and feel anxious about everything. When that happens, you may eat too much or too little and sleep poorly. Turn everything around by reaching out to renew connections and getting outside to walk, bike or run.
Your back takes a hit - When you sit your back, neck and spine are under a huge amount of stress. Make sure you have an ergonomic chair that provides the right support for your shoulders and back. Keep your feet flat on the floor and look straight ahead. Set a reminder to get up every hour to walk around, stretch or do other simple exercises.
Your heart suffers - Researchers compared transit drivers who sat and conductors who stood all day. With similar lifestyles, the drivers who sat so much were twice as likely to have heart disease. If you have to sit for your job, look into standing desks, rearrange your schedule to stand up as much as possible, and add five-minute breaks throughout the day.
Bones weaken and abilities are lost - Seniors who simply sit way too much may find their mobility is compromised and they are unable to live independently. If you are someone in your household is weakening as they get older, talk with their doctor and find ways to get them outside and moving. Walking, gardening and playing with grandchildren may work.
The risk of cancer builds - Risks for lung, colon, endometrial and breast cancer go up with too much sitting. Revamp your schedule to include morning and evening walks, yoga or tai chi classes, weekend hikes or biking trips.
Take a close look at your schedule and see how much you sit and what you can do about it. The more you move the better off you will be.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Irvine, Calif.