There are steps you can take to counter the effects of sitting for long periods of time
Sitting at a desk all day will make you age faster. In fact, it’s one for the worst things you can do for your health.
A study in Taiwan that followed 480,000 people over 13 years found that people who sit at a desk all day have a 34 percent increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease when compared to people who don’t sit all day. Overall, people with sedentary jobs have a 16 percent higher mortality risk.
If you’re one of those people with a desk job, there are steps you can take to counter the effects of sitting for long periods of time. Some experts suggest adding 15 to 30 minutes of exercise to your physical routine. Others say that isn’t enough, and sedentary people need to double the recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise. A Harvard study found that among highly active people, the risks of prolonged sitting were less. They defined highly active as people who got 60-75 minutes of exercise a day.
The standing desk has become a popular option, but it presents problems of its own. Prolonged standing can lead to lower back pain and leg swelling. A study out of Australia found that standing all day didn’t counter the effects of sitting at a desk, and actually caused circulatory problems such as varicose veins and blood clots.
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