In Defense of Sitting                             

Have you ever stood in a long line, stood during a concert or even had a job that required you to stand all day? If so, you know how stressful this can be to your body. Chances are, you experienced discomfort or fatigue in your legs and feet, maybe had swollen legs, perhaps back pain. You may recall that after standing for a period, you started shifting your weight. This was a sign that the body experienced fatigue and was prompting you to move and shift the stress to another area. You may even recall taking on a “bad” posture such as locking your knees, relaxing your abdominal muscles which created a sway back, standing on one leg causing asymmetry throughout the entire spine, etc.

Sitting is not all bad.

What should we do?

Keep it Simple! As with most things in life, moderation is key. The human body responds best to a balance between static and dynamic activity, between activity and recovery, between sitting and standing.

There are environmental variables and behavioral variables to consider. You have to move and you have to be supported in safe postures. You have to balance your day.

A Balanced Workday:

Sit some, stand some.

Take the stairs.

Go for a walk at lunch and on your breaks.

Do stretches and exercises at your desk.

Program timers to remind you that it is time to move.

Drink plenty of water during the day so that you must use the restroom frequently. Utilize your company’s fitness center.

After work, continue to balance: if you sat significantly during the day, don’t sit and watch TV or use your computer.

Put a stationary bike in front of your TV.

Work out regularly.

Experiment on your own by wearing a heart rate monitor or pedometer to see how much activity you are actually getting.

Coming soon...Staying Healthy Guides