Everyone Is Saying Sitting Is the New Smoking: Is it True?

Why are health experts saying that sitting is the new smoking? Well, everyone knows the health effects of smoking, and the sooner everyone realizes that sitting can also be immensely harmful the better. Hopefully, you will jump out of your chair when you find out that:

• You will reduce your odds of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease by standing throughout the day.
• Standing for part of the day increases energy levels and reduces the afternoon slump.
• Standing also reduces anxiety, which in some cases has helped individuals stop smoking.
• You are more productive when standing with up to a 10% increase in productivity.

Dr. James Levine, a Mayo Clinic endocrinologist, is a leading researcher on the health hazards of sitting too much.  According to Dr. Levine:

• People who sit for long periods of time are more likely to become diabetic. As for people who are already diabetic, their diabetes is likely to become worse.
• People who sit more are more likely to develop various forms of cancers.
• People who sit for more than six hours per day are more likely to develop depression. For those who are already dealing with a mental illness, their condition can worsen.

According to CBN News, people who sit more than six hours per day and exercise are still on the path to poor health. All of the facts demonstrate that standing and/or exercising while at work, instead of sitting straight through the day and working out after, have immeasurable advantages. You can enhance your health with a standing desk by bringing some exercise into the equation. Here are just some of the benefits of walking on a treadmill or using a stationary bike:

• Weight reduction: Regular exercise increases metabolism, burns calories and aids in weight control.
• Joint flexibility: Low impact exercise helps keep joints flexible.
• Cardiovascular fitness: Exercise strengthens your heart and potentially reduces blood pressure, which can reduce the chance of a stroke or heart attack.
• Convenience: After a full day at work, let’s face it; it is hard to go to the gym.  In addition, the ability to walk on your treadmill or use a stationary bike is not affected by inclement weather.

It’s a proven fact that we are turning into a more sedentary society.  Our children come home from school, and in many cases, they sit at a computer or play with a Game Boy instead of going outside to play.

Adults are in the same boat; they are prone to being couch potatoes. For example, if the TV controller is misplaced and we have to get up to turn the channel on the television, we probably don’t know how to do that without a controller. Secondly, it’s the end of the world, as many of us would probably become disgruntled at having to move from our lounging positions.  

Similarly, on the way home from work, we stop at fast food restaurants and provide our families with high-fat, high-calorie, low-fiber, low-value meals instead of stopping at the grocery store to get fresh, organic vegetables, lean meat and some organic fruit. It probably takes an extra 20-30 minutes to find your favorite fast food restaurant and go through the drive through line when it will only take you about 20-25 minutes to prepare a healthy meal.  

Please take a look at this link for healthy meal ideas: http://www.cookinglight.com/food/quick-healthy-recipes

Here’s another tip for better health: Read Eat-Move-Sleep: How Small Choices Lead to Big Changes.  Please take a look at this link to learn more about the book: http://www.amazon.com/Eat-Move-Sleep-Choices-Changes/dp/1491513551

Conclusion

At the end of the day, your mood, health, and energy levels will all be improved if you make a greater effort to stand and exercise throughout the day. The science is all pointing to the same conclusions when it comes to making healthier life choices, so don’t wait any longer. There’s no time like the present moment to change your lifestyle for the better!