It has been known for some time now that being sedentary, lazy, inactive, etc. has a negative effect on your health. Sure, it is no secret that everyone needs to exercise and that exercise puts you farther away from health risk, but what about what we do with the rest of our day?

In recent years, research has shown that although you might meet the exercise daily recommendations, if you are sedentary with the rest of your day, you are still at an elevated risk for many health concerns. Think about it, if you meet the recommendations of an hour workout a day, maybe 5 days a week you are only working out 5 hours a week, that is hardly 3% of your week. If you have a desk job, chill on the couch while at home, spend a lot of time traveling in a car, don’t actively think of being well, active, you are spending 97% of your week being inactive. So what to do?

Let’s start with a sedentary definition:

sed·en·tar·y

adjective

(of a person) tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive.

synonyms: inactive, sitting, desk-bound.

What are your risks?

Increased risk of cardiovascular death
Quicker rate of bone loss- leading to osteoporosis
Increased rate of all cause premature death
More likely to experience cognitive and mental decline
Increased risk of high blood pressure and triglycerides
Increased risk of stroke
Lower ability to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight

What you can do about it:

Be mindful of getting up to go to the bathroom every hour, half hour is better!
In between bathroom breaks, get up and go get a drink of water
After you complete a task, get up and stretch
Find some personal space to do a few bodyweight exercise during your work day
Stretch upon waking AND before bed
Spend more time on your feet- cook, watch TV standing, stand while working
Clean your house more- it keeps you on your feet!
Instead of crashing on the couch after work- go for a walk!
Park farther away from stores
Use the stairs!!!!

What are your favorite ways to stay active daily?

I'd love to hear them!

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Sources: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2996155/
http://www.nchpad.org/403/2216/Sedentary~Lifestyle~is~Dangerous~to~Your~Health