Have you ever noticed how your body sort of seizes up after a long car ride, or a long day behind a desk? That’s because you’re built for movement, not for sitting.
Just 5 minutes of walking each hour can combat the negative effects of sitting.
Research indicates that regular movement can help lower the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes & heart issues.
If you’re someone that works long hours sitting, this is great news. I understand how you might be chained to your desk and not have the ability to get outside to walk, but surely, you can stand up and move for just 5 minutes.
You’ll ease stiffness and even get a boost of energy with just a bit of movement.
So start small, program your watch or phone to notify you every hour. Get up and move or at the very least do 10 sit to stands behind your desk (this is also proven to be an effective way to ease the ills of sitting).
And NO you don’t need a walking pad to do this – just move every hour…
References:
Healy, G. N., et al. (2011). “Breaks in Sedentary Time.”
Dunstan, D. W., et al. (2012). “Television Viewing Time and Mortality.”
Thorp, A. A., et al. (2014). “Sedentary Behavior and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease.”