Have you heard the claim that “sitting is the new smoking”? While it may seem a bit dramatic, it’s not entirely untrue.
The claim comes from recent studies that have shown that a sedentary lifestyle (aka not moving) can lead to an increased risk for certain cancers, linked to high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol, muscle weakness, decreased circulation, and tight hips, to name just a few things that are affected.
But while sitting has been villainized, it’s not sitting that’s the issue – it’s the lack of movement. And if you’re still SITTING there saying you don’t sit (see what I did there? 😉), add up the time you spend at the kitchen table, on the couch or floor at night, commuting to/from work and at your desk.
If you’re like the average American, you’re probably sitting around 14 hours a day.
Even if you stand for some or all of your workday, I bet you’re probably coming home and planting yourself on the couch for a few hours to catch up on the latest episode of Will & Grace or watch the day’s IG stories that you missed.
So does that mean those who get to stand for work are better off?
Just ask any nurse and the answer is a big fat NO! Even those who stand all day are not necessarily magically pain-free, because standing is also a repetitive action.
Sitting is not the issue. Standing is not the issue. Our lack of moving in a wide variety of ways on a regular basis is the issue.
So what’s the fix? Moving! And it literally can be as simple as it sounds.
Take a walk on your lunch break.
Try to get up every hour and move around (and bonus points if you’re super hydrated and have to take a trip to go pee!).
Make it a game with challenges and competition and you’re more likely to stick to it.
When you approach it like a game, failure IS an option – because you always have an extra life 😉. This means there’s no need to beat yourself up if you have a day where moving doesn’t happen as much as you’d like – make a plan for how tomorrow will be different, stick to it, and you’re golden.
And if you’re totally stuck, unsure of where to start, and dealing with aches and pains – let’s chat. You’re not that old and you don’t have to feel like you are – check out one of the options below for your next steps.
PS Ready to wake up every morning pain-free? Here are 3 ways I can help you now:
- Join the AE Wellness Body Nerds and connect with other busy women on a quest to make self-care easy and to move more every day.
- Join me for my free online class, Movement Managed: How to Move Better and Feel Better, Every Day and learn how to stop feeling exhausted, stressed out and completely disconnected from your body.
- Tired of feeling exhausted, stressed out and completely disconnected from your body? – let’s chat. Click here to tell me a little bit about what’s going on and I’ll get you the details!
