APPARENTLY not. In 2018, researchers from Canada, the US and Australia looked at the health deficits from sitting and smoking. Researchers from Canada, the US and Australia say that while research does suggest excessive sitting (roughly more than eight hours a day) increases the risk of premature death and some chronic diseases by 10 to 20 percent, this pales in comparison to the risks associated with smoking.
Smoking increases the risk of premature death by 180 percent, researchers said. To say that sitting is the new smoking is somewhat misleading. However, a sedentary lifestyle, sitting more than five hours a day, is also a risk factor for our health. In a recent study, researchers found that 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity can offset the health detriments of a day of sitting.
So for those who lounge and sit in an office what can be done?
Take breaks to stand
Standing can help with circulation and can help you get out of brain fog when you’re at work. You can set an alarm on your phone that tells you when to stand. Some fitness trackers actually already provide warnings when you are sitting too much.
Try using a stability ball
Sitting on a stability ball provides a novel stimulus that gives you a break from the chair. Sitting on these balls work the small muscles of the hip and spine to help you maintain balance. Give it a try!
Try a standing desk
While it’s also not advisable to be standing for too long, standing desks provide a change from a normal table and chair. Ideally, in our offices we should be able to stand and sit. Changing postures and positions is good for us!
For those of us who have become homebodies because of quarantine restrictions, it’s even more important to make sure that we stand and not spend too much time on the couch watching Netflix!
Remember, we were made for movement. Physical activity cuts down the risk of disease very significantly.
Consult your doctor whenever embarking on a new fitness program.