Is Sitting the New Smoking?Thought smoking was bad for you? Sitting might actually be worse for you.

 

Listen up all you couch potatoes.

I'm actually standing while typing this! Here is why.

Too much sitting is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and early death from all causes. That’s right, the World Health Organization puts sitting or physical inactivity 4th on the list of risk factors for death worldwide.

And while sitting isn’t good for either gender, women fare worse when it comes to spending the day in a chair. According to a study by the American Cancer Institute, women who sat for more than six hours a day were more likely to die than women who sat for three hours or less a day.

So if you have a job that requires more than six hours sitting at a desk, here are a few ideas to help you avoid those dismal statistics.

Read more from Dr. Linda Mintle on her Beliefnet blog "Doing Life Together."

Stand whenever possible—during meetings, while on the phone, take the stairs, etc. Standing or moving triggers the body to break down fats and sugars.

Put your computer on a higher desk that allows you to stand part of the day and work.

If your company can get a treadmill, put one in a break room and get on it for 10 minutes at a time.

Take an exercise class although exercising a few times a week doesn’t seem to undo all the sitting problems.

Have meetings while walking.

Work through lunch, leave early and work out if your boss will allow it.

Set a timer and make yourself get up and walk around.

Buy a pediometer and track your steps.

Order a stand-up desk or treadmill desk station—they are pricey, but if your company will do it, it is worth it.

OK, I’m going to catch a little TV but be marching in place when I watch!

Beliefnet