According to research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25 percent of Americans sit for at least eight hours a day—in addition to time spent sleeping. While much of this can be attributed to lifestyle habits that lack physical activity, much of it is due to the growing number of “sedentary office workers.” In fact, the American Heart Association found that these types of jobs have increased 83 percent since 1950 and Johns Hopkins reports that physically active jobs make up less than 20 percent of the workforce. With wide-ranging health hazards, just how dangerous is sitting too often?
A sedentary lifestyle may cause:
Weakening of leg and gluteal muscles from disuse
Weight gain due to slowed digestion of fats and sugars
A shortening of your hip flexor muscles
Back pain and spine issues from poor posture
Anxiety and depression
Certain types of cancer
A 147 percent increase in heart disease risk
A 112 percent increase in diabetes risk
Painful varicose veins, which can lead to leg blood clots
Stand up for your health and:
Walk or ride a bike instead of driving, when possible
Use the stairs instead of elevators or escalators
Park farther away from work or stores
Set a reminder to get up at least once an hour and walk around
Walk to talk to colleagues, instead of emailing
Leave your desk for lunch
Opt for audiobooks so you can walk and still “read”
Make smaller trips to the car or when cleaning so you need to walk back and forth
If you’re suffering from orthopedic pain caused by extended periods of sitting—or any other reason—contact the subspecialists at Orlin & Cohen, Long Island’s leading orthopedic practice. Immediate appointments are available: Request yours now.
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