Why Sitting is not good for your health

The hidden risks of inactivity

A physically sedentary lifestyle, characterised by prolonged periods of inactivity are bad for your health. Scientific evidence has proven that long periods of sitting or inactivity is a risk factor for many diseases, independent of other factors such as obesity. These diseases can undermine our independence and make it more difficult to remain engaged in the world around us.

Hint!

Never Underestimate the effect small changes can have on your overall wellbeing.
Try walking 10 minutes extra every day and see how you feel.

Understanding why sitting is so bad

Evidence now shows that when we are sitting for long periods, our bodies show unhealthy changes in blood pressure and blood sugar levels that over long periods of time can lead to increased risk of diabetes, dementia and obesity. What we now know is that regularly breaking up your periods of sitting is good for your health in the same way drinking water and eating vegetables are.

A sedentary lifestyle can be a lifestyle choice that sneaks up on you as you age, and you may be sitting much more than you realise. Perhaps your are watching a couple of hours of TV a day, or reading the newspapers front to back for a few hours in the mornings before you get going.

Hint!

If you aren’t exercising, think about what might be keeping you from this worthwhile activity.
Once you’ve identified some barriers, call Next Stepz and we can help you put a plan in place.

What can be done?

1. Start by noticing your daily patterns, time them and be mindful of changes that can be made. Consider standing as you watch the news or read the newspaper.
2. Set an alarm to go off every half an hour that reminds you to get up and have a walk or get a drink of water.
3. Stand up to take a phone call
4. Take a walk around lunch time.
5. Speak to Next Stepz for more ideas tailored to suit your individual lifestyle.

“The sum of the whole is this: walk and be happy; walk and be healthy. The best way to lengthen our days is to walk steadily with purpose.”

Charles Dickens (1812-1870)