Recent research has shown that even if you exercise each day – sitting down for extended periods of time (say, at your desk at the office) will work to increase your risk of death and disease.
US exercise physiologist Travis Saunders has likened sitting to smoking, saying “Smoking is bad for you even if you get lots of exercise. So is sitting too much.”
This Australian study suggests that every hour we sit, cuts about 22 minutes from our life span – compared to 11 minutes lost with each cigarette.
“Prolonged sitting is not what nature intended for us,” says clinical professor Dr. Camelia Davtyan in an article published recently in the LA Times.
And in an article published in the Sydney Morning Herald Professor Adrian Bauman of Sydney University’s School of Public Health says, “Sitting may have more to do with obesity than [lack of] physical activity.” While a 10km jog, Cross Fit programs, or an hour of flowing vinyasa yoga are a fantastic addition to any healthy lifestyle, research seems to suggest we need more constant movement throughout our day.
So what’s the best solution? Treadmill desks, walking meetings or ‘sweatworking‘?
At the very least, we suggest a stroll around the office, or a lap of Reservoir Street for your next business call.
Little changes will surely make a difference!
