It’s no secret that sitting is considered the new smoking, and while many of us have taken the necessary steps to increase their health by eliminating the latter, sitting is nearly unavoidable for most of the working world. Even writing this post, the author sits behind a desk, attempting as healthy a posture as possible, but is sitting up straight enough to counterbalance the negative health effects? Researchers and health experts agree that prolonged sitting is, plain and simple, bad for one’s health.

So, what are the issues with sitting frequently and for prolonged periods of time? According to Edward Laskowski, MD, a collaborator and author for the Mayo Clinic, “any extended sitting — such as at a desk, behind a wheel or in front of a screen — can be harmful. An analysis…found that those who sat for more than eight hours a day with no physical activity had a risk of dying similar to the risks of dying posed by obesity and smoking” (Edward R. Laskowski, 2018). Sitting is a necessary part of the day-to-day for the average person, and it comes with a hefty price for one’s health. According to Laskowski, “Research has linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns. They include obesity and a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels — that make up metabolic syndrome. Too much sitting overall and prolonged periods of sitting also seem to increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer” (Edward R. Laskowski, 2018).

Given that sitting is correlated to increased risk of severe deteriorating health impacts, one naturally would ask ‘is there a solution?’ Thankfully, according to Laskowski’s research, there is a silver lining. Research from the previously mentioned analysis found that physical activity of 60-75 minutes per day may counteract the negative effects of prolonged sitting (Edward R. Laskowski, 2018). Most of us understand the importance of including regular exercise in our health routines; however, perhaps knowing that participating in an hours’ worth of physical activity can diminish sitting’s adverse effects, one might be more motivated to get up and move. We talk a lot about the importance of movement at Dr. Gena Chiropractic, as we understand that a person’s health is related to their ability to move. Helping a person feel and function at their best, a main objective for our team, includes providing them with a better range of motion, and by extension, the ability to move more. Taking 5- to 10-minute breaks from sitting every hour may help decrease the negative effects of prolonged sitting, and may motivate a person to move a little bit more every day. Breaking down an hour-long session of physical activity into smaller, manageable moments can not only increase one’s overall movement for the day, but also allows one to feel more accomplished about their decisions to decrease their sitting time.

Moving more, sitting less, and getting your chiropractic care, can help improve your overall lifestyle quality. We strive to help everyone live life to its fullest potential, and we look to achieve results through the education of the importance in our daily choices. We encourage everyone to make decisions toward living one’s healthiest and happiest life, including utilizing tips and tools to move more, even while having to sit all day. For more information on how chiropractic care can help achieve a healthier lifestyle, contact Doctor Gena Chiropractic, located minutes west of Fort Lauderdale! Remember, your health is in your hands, but our hands are here to help!

References

Edward R. Laskowski, M. (2018, May 8). What are the risks of sitting too much? Retrieved from mayoclinic.org: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sitting/faq-20058005