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What Happens When You Sit for Too Long? Studies looking at life in natural agriculture environments show that people in the villages sit for about three hours a day. The office worker can sit for 13 to 15 hours a day. There are at least 24 different chronic diseases and conditions associated with excessive sitting. Lack of movement slows metabolism, reducing the amount of food that is converted to energy and thus promoting fat accumulation, obesity, and the litany of ills heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and more that come with being overweight. Not surprisingly, sitting for extended periods of time increases your risk for premature death. If you want to lower your risk of chronic disease, you’ve got to get up out of your chair. For starters, check out these essential tips : Stand Up – If you don’t have a specially designed desk, don’t let that stop you. Prop your computer up on a stack of books and get on your feet. Get Moving – Why simply stand up when you can move too? You can walk while you’re on the phone, walk to communicate with others in your office (instead of e-mailing), and even conduct walking meetings. Monitor Your Screen Height – The top of your computer screen should be level with your eyes, so you’re only looking down about 10 degrees to view the screen. If it’s lower, you’ll move your head downward, which can lead to back and neck pain. If it’s higher, it can cause dry eye syndrome. Imagine Your Head as a Bowling Ball – Your head must be properly aligned to avoid undue stress on your neck and spine. Avoid craning your head forward. Try the “Pomodoro Technique” – Focus on your work intensely and then take 5 minutes to walk, do jumping jacks, or otherwise take a break from your work. This helps you to stay productive while avoiding burnout. You’re Not a Prisoner to Your Chair. If you’re still sitting down while reading this… stand up! We live amid a sea of killer chairs: adjustable, swivel, recliner, wing, club, chaise longue, sofa, arm, four-legged, three-legged, wood, leather, plastic, car, plane, train, dining and bar. But you do not have to use them. Source: http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2014/11/21/5-health-tips-computer-workers.aspx |