If you have a desk job, you’re probably worried about what sitting all day can do to your health! Living a sedentary lifestyle is very dangerous to your health, and if you’re spending 40+ hours per week at your desk, you might be at risk. In this article, we’ll look at the health risks of sitting at a desk all day and discuss ways to reduce them!
Health Risks of Sitting at a Desk All Day
The World Health Organization reports, “Sedentary lifestyles increase all causes of mortality, double the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity, and increase the risks of colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, lipid disorders, depression and anxiety.”
Type 2 Diabetes
One study found that women over age 40 who sat more per day than others had increased markers of insulin resistance and inflammation. This translates to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This was true independent of their exercise routine.
Weight
Sitting all day leads to a sedentary lifestyle. If you’re not moving throughout the day, you’re probably not burning very many calories. You might be eating more calories than you are burning throughout the day. This leads to weight gain. Carrying around excess weight is not great for your heart and can cause many health problems down the road!
Heart Disease
Physical inactivity is a significant risk factor for contracting heart disease. In fact, inactivity has the biggest impact on a woman’s risk of heart disease!
Cancer
Medical News Today wrote on a new study on physical activity and cancer risk. A new study by scientists at the University of Texas found that participants with the greatest total sedentary time had a 52% increased risk of dying from cancer than those who had the least sedentary time. The participants with the longest streaks of uninterrupted sedentary behavior had a 36% higher risk of dying from cancer.
Cholesterol
A sedentary lifestyle lowers your good cholesterol levels and raises your bad cholesterol levels. Exercising a few times a week is enough to help even out your cholesterol levels.
How to Improve Your Sedentary Lifestyle
Get a Standing Desk
Standing at your desk is better than sitting. If you don’t have a standing desk, you can buy a platform for your computer and keyboard to make it taller. If you’re feeling like you want even more movement throughout the day, you could even invest in a walking desk!
Start Moving In the Morning
Before you go to work, go out and exercise! This will help you keep momentum and keep moving throughout the day.
Take Walking Meetings
Instead of sitting in a board room with coworkers, go for a walking meeting outdoors. Not only will you benefit from getting some fresh air, but you’ll get some more steps in!
Track Your Steps
Studies show that those who keep track of their steps actually take more steps than those who don’t. If you have a goal, you’re more likely to meet it! So, get a fitness tracker like a Fitbit or Apple Watch or a good old pedometer to wear around!
Take an L-arginine Supplement
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