In the fast-paced digital age, many of us find ourselves tethered to our desks for extended periods, navigating the demands of work, often at the expense of our physical well-being. The sedentary lifestyle that accompanies many hours of sitting each day has been linked to a myriad of health risks, from musculoskeletal issues to increased susceptibility to chronic diseases.
However, the good news is that small, intentional changes in our daily routine can make a significant difference.
This article discusses the potential health risks associated with sitting all day and provides practical strategies to counteract them.
We delve into three key approaches: incorporating seated stretches into your work routine, taking effective activity breaks throughout the day, and integrating targeted exercises into your morning or evening routine. By embracing these proactive measures, you can mitigate the adverse effects of prolonged sitting and foster a healthier, more active lifestyle.
With a growing rate of sedentary jobs, many Americans find themselves spending eight or more hours without regular physical activity. Long periods without regular activity can be very hard on the body.
Many people sit while driving to work, and then spend eight to nine hours behind a desk. Some even spend their lunch breaks right there at their desks, and those who don't still have their lunch while sitting, just in a different chair. Then there's the return journey in a car, bus, or train, only to spend the majority of the evening curled up on the couch watching TV or playing games.
According to research, sitting for long stretches has several potentially negative health consequences. These include an increased risk of disease, some of which even shorten life expectancy.
Sitting for long periods can lead to weakened muscles, especially in the core, hips, and glutes. This can result in muscle imbalances and increase the risk of injury.
Sitting for extended periods may contribute to poor posture. If your workplace is not equipped with ergonomic chairs and desks, it can lead to many mechanical and musculoskeletal disorders like the following:
— Sciatica
— De Quervain syndrome
— Carpal tunnel syndrome
— Nerve impingement
— Forward neck posture
— Stiff back muscles
— Diffuse low back pain
— Shoulder muscle tightness
— Lumbar back straightening
— Inflammation of piriformis muscles
— Reduced intervertebral joint space
Furthermore, long hours of sitting may also cause arthritis and joint pain. Blood supply provides joint nutrition, but when we are seated, the blood flow through the knee, hip, and other joints is hampered. Limited blood flow means limited nutrition, which causes early degeneration of the joints.
Weight gain and obesity are associated with sedentary behavior. People love munching on snacks while sitting, whether they're working or relaxing, and processed, or junk food is the most popular choice of snack food. Add to this the lack of physical activity, and the slowing down of the metabolism, and excess body fat accumulates.
Prolonged sitting can reduce the heart's workload capacity over time. This jeopardizes blood flow and circulation, which has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and thrombosis.
Sedentary behavior is a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes.
Lack of physical activity can lead to insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism.
Some studies suggest that prolonged sitting may be associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, such as prostate, colorectal, and endometrial cancers.
Sedentary behavior has been linked to poor mental health outcomes, including increased stress, anxiety, and depression. A 2018 study suggests that prolonged sitting harms perceived mental state and creative problem-solving abilities.
Prolonged sitting has been associated with a higher risk of premature death. Engaging in regular physical activity is known to be protective against various health conditions that can impact life expectancy.
Regardless of whether you are a clerk or the CEO, these are but some of the health risks you are exposed to if your occupation keeps you seated for many hours. However, there are ways to mitigate the risks without interfering with your responsibilities at work and at home.
Many work environments are not ergonomically designed for the health of employees. Office chairs and desks, or car seats for those who earn their money by spending hours driving from one client to the next, are not built for sitting all day.
A 2017 study suggests an association between prolonged sitting and musculoskeletal discomfort, typically in the following areas:
— Neck
— Shoulders
— Upper back
— Lower limbs
— Lower back
— Buttocks
— Thighs
— Knees
— Elbows
— Wrists and Hands
When we experience discomfort, we tend to slide down in our chairs, stretch our legs out, sit cross-legged, or find other positions to feel more comfortable. However, they only serve to worsen the situation. You can counteract discomfort by stretching certain muscles right where you are sitting, but first, you have to adjust your posture.
Move your butt all the way back, so that the chair's backrest supports your lower back.
Both feet should be flat on the floor, with your knees directly above your ankles.
Rest your arms comfortably on the armrests of the chair. Let your hands lie on your lap if there are no armrests.
It will likely seem awkward at first, but you'll soon get used to it.
Now you can do the following stretches without leaving your chair:
— Spinal Twist: Contract your abs and twist your body to the left and right, holding the stretch for 15 to 30 seconds on each side to relieve tension across the entire back.
— Neck Stretch: Grip the side of your chair with your left hand and tilt your head toward your right shoulder until you feel a gentle stretch down the left side of your neck. Repeat the stretch on the other side, holding it for 15 to 30 seconds on each side. This stretch can relieve upper back tension and tension headaches.
— Shoulder and Chest Stretch: Interlace the fingers behind your back and lift your arms until you feel a stretch in your pectoral muscles and across your chest. Hold this stretch and release after 15 to 30 seconds. This is especially effective for those who spend many hours hunched over a keyboard.
— Back Stretch: Place the palms of your hands behind your neck and let your back rest comfortably against the chair's backrest. With your elbows flared out wide, lean back over the backrest until you feel a gentle stretch across your chest and back. Release the stretch after 10 to 15 seconds. This is another stretch to counteract the harm caused by being in a forward-slumping position for hours on end.
— Wrist and Elbow Stretch: These stretches are the answer for relieving the tightness caused by hours of typing on a keyboard. Start by stretching one arm out in front of you with your palm facing down. Grab your fingers with the other hand, and pull them up and back over as far as you can, flexing the wrist. Hold the stretch for 15 to 30 seconds, feeling the stretch up your arm. Now, turn your palm face up, and use the other hand to pull your fingers down as far as possible, again flexing your wrist. Repeat both these stretches on the other hand.
— Hip Stretch: Push your chair back a bit for this one. Sit tall and cross your left ankle over your right knee. While keeping your back straight, flex your hips and fold your upper body forward until you can feel your right glute muscle stretch. Hold for 15 to 30 minutes before repeating the stretch with the right ankle crossed over the left knee. Your glutes and hip muscles benefit from this easy stretch.
— Hamstring Stretch: With your chair pulled back and the wheels locked if yours is a rolling chair, sit tall with your head and spine forming a straight line. Keep your left foot flat on the floor while extending your right leg forward. Now, bend at the hips, and with a straight back, stretch your hands out toward your toes as far as possible. Release after 15 to 30 seconds and do the same with your left leg. Do this a few times a day to loosen tight hamstrings and relieve leg discomfort.
While these stretches can relieve discomfort without interfering with your tasks, it is not enough to prevent musculoskeletal damage. We suggest you take frequent activity breaks throughout the day.
Activity breaks are short breaks during the day that involve physical movement. They interrupt long periods of sitting and provide an opportunity to engage in physical activity. Incorporating activity breaks into your routine can help counteract the muscular and cognitive effects of prolonged sitting and contribute to overall health and well-being.
Here are some ways activity breaks can be beneficial:
— Improved Circulation: Movement during activity breaks helps improve blood circulation, preventing blood from pooling in the legs and reducing the risk of cardiovascular issues associated with prolonged sitting.
— Reduced Fatigue and Muscle Stiffness: Regular breaks can prevent muscle stiffness and fatigue that result from sitting in the same position for extended periods. Stretching and moving help maintain flexibility and reduce discomfort.
— Enhanced Mental Alertness: Physical activity has been shown to boost cognitive function and increase mental alertness. Taking breaks to move around can help refresh your mind and improve concentration.
— Better Posture: Activity breaks provide an opportunity to stand, stretch, or perform exercises that promote better posture. This can help counteract the negative impact of prolonged sitting on spinal alignment and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal issues.
— Energy Boost: Physical activity is known to boost energy levels. A short burst of movement can help combat feelings of fatigue and increase overall vitality.
— Stress Reduction: Physical activity is a natural stress reliever. Taking breaks to move and engage in light exercise can help reduce stress levels and improve mood.
Here are some ideas for incorporating activity breaks into your day:
— Stand up and stretch every 30 minutes.
— Take short walks around the office or your home. Up and down the staircase if possible. Take longer, brisker walks during your lunch break. You can even suggest colleagues join you for a walking meeting.
— Use a standing desk for part of the day.
— Stand when you have your lunch.
— Take advantage of any tasks that can be done without sitting down, like phone calls that may allow you to get up and pace about, march in place, do leg swings, etc.
The key is to frequently break up long periods of sitting with short bursts of physical activity.
Taking advantage of even small breaks can have a positive impact on your health and well-being.
According to The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans published in 2018, adults should do at least 150 minutes to 300 minutes a week of moderate intensity. Alternatively, they can do 75 minutes to 150 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity.
Spending only 15 minutes before, and 15 minutes after your workday (5 days per week) can make up the recommended physical activity level. which could make a significant difference in your overall health if you need to counteract sitting all day.
Here are six easy exercises that anyone can do:
— Targets the entire core, including abs, obliques, and lower back.
— Improves overall core strength and stability.
— Helps maintain a neutral spine, reducing back pain.
— Counters the slouching and weakening of core muscles caused by sitting for long periods of time.
— Targets chest, shoulders, and triceps.
— Boosts the heart rate.
— Engages core muscles for stability.
— Promotes upper body strength and endurance.
— Counteracts the negative effects of a forward-leaning posture associated with prolonged sitting staring at a computer screen.
— Targets abdominal muscles.
— Strengthens the core, improving posture.
— Helps counteract the rounding of the spine from prolonged sitting.
— Enhances overall core stability.
— Works the major muscle groups, including quads, hamstrings, and glutes.
— Promotes hip flexibility and mobility.
— Engages the core for stability.
— Counters the hip and knee stiffness caused by prolonged sitting.
— Engages the quads, hamstrings, and glutes.
— Promotes healthy hip flexors.
— Encourages a full range of motion in the hips and knees.
— Counteracts muscle imbalances caused by prolonged sitting.
— Focuses on core stability and control.
— Engages abdominal muscles without straining the neck.
— Promotes coordination between limbs and core.
— Boosts cardio.
— Counters the lack of movement and activation in the core during prolonged sitting.
Incorporating a combination of these exercises into a routine can provide a comprehensive approach to counteracting the negative effects of prolonged sitting, with multiple health benefits and promoting overall strength, flexibility, and posture.
Along with all the measures discussed above, the following two matters are essential for staying healthy.
Hydration is crucial in counteracting the negative effects of long periods of sitting. Staying properly hydrated has several benefits that can help mitigate the health risks associated with prolonged sitting. Drinking water is essential for regulating blood pressure and body temperature, hydration and digestion, increased energy levels, cognitive functions and focus, joint health, and more.
Spending many hours sitting often leads to developing poor breathing habits, causing poor oxygenation of the body, which could give rise to a whole host of health issues. The most prevalent form of dysfunctional breathing patterns is breathing in through the mouth, and upper chest breathing instead of belly or diaphragmatic breathing.
Here's how to practice diaphragmatic breathing:
Breathe in through your nose and focus on the rising of your belly, as if it is inflated. Chest movement should be minimal, and as you exhale your belly should go down. Practicing belly breathing helps prevent tiredness, lethargy, and stress.
In conclusion, reclaiming our health in the face of a sedentary lifestyle involves a conscious commitment to movement and well-being. By integrating simple yet effective practices like seated stretches, regular activity breaks, and targeted exercises into our daily routines, we empower ourselves to counteract the adverse effects of prolonged sitting.
As we strive for a healthier balance between work and well-being, let us remember that these small adjustments can yield significant long-term benefits. So, rise from your chair, stretch your limbs, and embrace the vitality that comes with an active lifestyle. Your body will thank you, and the journey to a healthier, more dynamic you begin with each intentional step away from the sedentary norm.
