I’ve been having an issue with a nerve on my right leg lately. I thought at first it would just go away, but alas, it hasn’t. So, I went to 2 people who I know could help me figure this out: Heather and Colton – 2 of our beloved Adrenaline Instructors.

Sitting at your desk all day is not a good thing

When I explained the problem to them, Colton just blurted out, “It’s because you are on your butt all day”. Now, I hope he was kidding because honestly I don’t think I’m on my butt all day, but there could be some real truth to what he said. However, Heather, in a much more diplomatic way, said, “sitting on your butt is the new smoking”. NOW THAT caught my attention!

What?!? How could sitting be the new smoking. So, I did some research. And I discovered that sitting on your butt IS INDEED really bad and harmful for you.

For example, did you know…

  • Obese people sit on average two-and-a-half hours more every day than thinner people.
  • Sitting for long periods of time could actually make bottoms bigger because sitting down puts a large amount of force on the body tissues that make fat cells. It causes them to produce up to 50 percent more.
  • According to Dr. James Levine, a Mayo Clinic endocrinologist, “People who sit for a prolonged period of time throughout the day are predisposed to developing diabetes, and those people who have diabetes, their diabetes gets worse,”.

Those are some serious complications! So what are the solutions? How can you overcome this if you have to work at a desk most of the day?

Here are some solutions to help:

Get a standing desk. These are becoming very popular these days. Here are a list of some. If you don’t like these you can always google, “standing desks” for other options.
Have regular breaks. Try taking a break every 30 minutes or once every hour and get away from your computer.
Look for opportunities that allow you to stand and work. Try standing up when using the phone or stand up during meetings or teleconferences.
Move away from your desk. Walk to talk to your colleagues instead of sending them emails or calling.
Walk and talk. Have walking meetings outside. Bring a small notebook to take notes.
Take the stairs; don’t use the elevator.
Not all of these ideas may be ideal for your work environment. But regardless of what you choose to do, know the risks of sitting many hours a day and what that will do to your body. But then also recognize that you can do a variety of things at work that can help you.

In fact, I’m curious, what do you do at work to stay active and not sit for long hours? Share below.

Tom

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