Is sitting really dangerous? The answer is “No”. However, when sitting is done with incorrect posture and for long hours, the effects will be detrimental. Our body is not engineered for sitting and inactivity. When we become engaged with a sedentary lifestyle, that is the time we become more at risk for several diseases. It is imperative to be aware of the health hazards of too much sitting.
According to the Mayo Clinic, sitting is linked to various health issues.
“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.”
In addition, Web MD also shared an article discussing the reasons why sitting too much is bad. Some adverse effects include causing heart issues and decreasing your life span. It can also cause dementia, fatigue, diabetes, deep vein thrombosis, weight problems, anxiety, stress, back pain, neck pain, cancer, and other musculoskeletal problems.
You can also refer to the infographic below to find more information about the hazards of prolonged sitting,
How to Alleviate The Negative Effects of Sitting
The importance of movement, such as walking or performing some simple exercises, can have a significant impact on health. A post published by MindBodyGreen, there are effective ways to alleviate the adverse results of sitting. Those steps include the following:
- Get up and take a walk after every one hour.
- Perform some stretches and desk exercises.
- Make sure to use an ergonomic chair and set up a workstation ergonomically.
- Stay active even outside of work.
