Dangers of Prolonged Sitting: 4 Foolproof Ways to Stay Healthy

There’s no denying the fact that the majority of us spend over six hours parked on our behinds every single day. Unfortunately, our bodies weren’t designed to function that way.

From weakened glutes, back problems, and gaining weight, the health issues that stem from prolonged sitting can be as long as a receipt from CVS for a single granola bar. Basically, way too long.

If you’re wondering how to counteract this health disaster in the making, you’ve come to the right place.

Keep on reading for our top four tips on how to integrate motion back into your life, which will help keep you as healthy as possible.

Counteracting Prolonged Sitting 101: Making Motion Into Habit

If going to the gym every day was an easy thing to do, the whole nation would have been bodybuilders.

On the other hand, we can integrate little actions, and by frequently repeating them, they turn into lifelong habits that can gently steer your body in the right direction.

1. Stand More Often

Sounds obvious, no? However, our work culture has programmed us to remain sitting for more than eight hours every workday.

You can get yourself a standing desk, which will give you the benefits of staying both healthy and focused. Moreover, you can start setting timers for five minutes of standing every 30 minutes to an hour.

It’s a rather simple way of preventing your body from being in stasis for long periods of time.

2. Run Your Errands by Running

Or rather walking, if you’d prefer.

Depending on where you live, and the type of errands you want to run, if you have the option to walk to your post office or grocery store instead of taking your car, make sure you take it.

You’ll find that walking isn’t only physically beneficial, but it can also help with your emotional health. In essence, walking allows you to tap into your body’s flow and aid with clearing your head.

3. Hike for the Scenery and Your Legs

You don’t have to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for your hike to count as one.

All you need to do is pick a pretty park or a lovely trail that will allow you to gaze at nature, feel your mind unfold, as well as give your body a nice exercise.

4. Want to Sit? the Floor Is Right Here

Alright, so this might sound a bit strange at first. However, when you sit on the floor, you’re forcing your body to figure out a slightly different way to sit straight with some balance and strength work involved.

For example, if you’d rather sit while watching a TV show, give your floor a try. You can grab a pillow to make it a bit more comfortable for your joints as well.

Get Your Body to 2.0 by Moving

We know that behavioural change can be one of the most difficult things human beings can do. However, once you integrate these four tips we’ve given you, you can actively fight against all the troublesome health issues that come attached to prolonged sitting.

In addition, you can always tweak these tips to suit your body and your environment. As long as you’re giving your body some mobility, you’re good to go.

Want more tips? We’ve got you covered. Check out our health and fitness section for all the techniques and tricks that your heart could possibly desire.