But how many of us are doing anything about it?
It's a challenge to find enough time on your feet, especially if you work at a traditional desk job. But the implications of sitting might be even worse than you think.
Dr. James Levine, director of the Mayo Clinic-Arizona State University Obesity Solutions Initiative sums it up: “Sitting is more dangerous than smoking, kills more people than HIV and is more treacherous than parachuting. We are sitting ourselves to death."
If you spend most of your days sitting down at a desk, make 2018 the year you stand up.
Stand Up For Your Health
Sitting less might sound simple. But sitting at desks is so engrained in office culture. For many of us, it's a big challenge. Here are a few ways you can incorporate more standing and less sitting, and gradually improve your daily activity.
Take your co-workers for a walk.
If you're sitting at a desk for most of the work day, take advantage of meetings and hit the streets. Walking and talking is not only a great way to get out of your chairs and out of the office, but the change of scenery can inspire better conversations and ideas.
Invest in a standing desk.
Most people who use standing desks will sing their praises. It might look a little odd to be standing at your computer when the rest of the office is sitting, but the standing desk is a significantly healthier design for work -- so really, there's no reason to feel strange about it.
But remember, the standing desk isn't the magical solution. It's still important to move around. But since you're already standing, you'll be more likely to take some laps around the office than you would if you were stuck in your chair.
You can make your standing desk even more comfortable by kicking off your dress shoes and slipping into a pair of OOFOS recovery shoes. Our revolutionary OOfoam absorbs shock and reduces stress from your feet to your back.
Get off public transportation one stop sooner.
If you take the subway or bus to work, getting off a stop (or two, or three) sooner is a great way to get out of a seat and move your legs before the long work day begins. Starting the day with a walk can also help you clear your head and avoid looking at a screen for a few extra minutes.
Make activity a priority outside of work
For some of us, sitting for long periods of time is an unavoidable part of our work weeks. So make up for it before work, after work, and on the weekends. Go on hikes, hit the gym, join a neighborhood sports team -- whatever sounds fun and engaging, so you'll keep at it. Need some motivation? Tally up the hours of time you spend sitting each week, and it will be easier to grasp how badly your body needs to move.
Be kind to yourself in 2018. Less chair time and more activity is a great place to start.
