The Dangers of Sitting (Prolonged, that is)

[SongStream]

From Harvard Health:

Researchers aren't sure why prolonged sitting has such harmful health consequences. But one possible explanation is that it relaxes your largest muscles. When muscles relax, they take up very little glucose from the blood, raising your risk of type 2 diabetes.

Sitting can also increase pain. Even if you're reasonably active, hours of sitting—whether reading a book, working on the computer, or watching TV—tighten the hip flexor and hamstring muscles and stiffen the joints themselves. Overly tight hip flexors and hamstrings affect gait and balance, making activities like walking harder and perhaps even setting you up for a fall. Plus, tight hip flexors and hamstrings may contribute to lower back pain and knee stiffness, scourges that many people suffer with every day.

Given the research, breaking up long blocks of sitting to flex your muscles seems like a wise move for all of us, so try to build more activity into your day. Set a timer to remind you to get up and move around every so often. Take your phone calls standing up. Try an adjustable standing desk for your computer. Instead of sitting in an armchair while watching TV, sit on a stability ball, which makes you use your muscles to stay upright. And, yes, do our joint pain relief exercises.

[monkeybus]

You are absolutely right (you are always right.).

I force myself to stand on the train, walk up stairs rather than take the lift, standing, stretching, force myself to move. As human beings, we evolved for constant movement (or intelligent design, if that's your belief). It's not just us disableds, is it? Half the Western world. My son has never climbed a tree, and he's 14.

You simply cannot beat a decent stretch, luckily I can still cycle, and I quite enjoy walking in the swimming pool.

I am sat down right now, zero intention of getting up, pray for me.

[KennyInPA]

At work files get put into a bin and it's my job to distribute them to the right person. They asked me if I would rather have them take it directly to that person. NO! It gives me an excuse to get up and walk around. It's also why I start every day with a PT routine of stretching and leg raises to get everything moving. Keep those legs moving!

[julie_]

This has definitely been in the news in the last year or so.

At work, we have standing desks that you can adjust at will. I stand most days except for when I'm having lunch. Walking from a standing position is just easier for me than from a sitting position. And I'm less tired. Still, though I'm not sitting, I realize I'm idle and stiffness attacks my lower back and legs. I need to take a walk every hour or do some stretches to keep muscles warm. Alright, I've been telling myself this for quite a while, but I'm always forgetting because of work!

Besides my workouts 3 times per week, I also do daily stretches, walk up and down the stairs when I'm not in a hurry. All the activity is to prevent atrophy from settling in

[SongStream]

I agree with the stiffness in the lower bag (tight hip flexors and hamstrings may contribute to lower back pain) and legs. Along with that, there is the burning neuropathy that sets in when standing stationary and fatigue. One advantage of having urinary frequency is that we have to get up and go. I use this time to stretch, too.