We all know exercise is good for you. Many articles, books and studies have been written and performed on the subject of physical fitness. However, is that five mile run or spin class is really enough? Is our work environment undoing any positive effort we put into staying healthy? What is sitting at a desk really doing to us?
The short answer is YES. Human bodies were not built to sit for long periods of time. Our 21st century workplace – sitting at a desk, typing on the computer, endless video conferences – stacks against us to keep us on our, well, not our feet.
There are four harmful results on a person’s body that stem from sitting at work.
Sitting for many hours each day takes a toll on our backs says Austin Chiropractor.
Sitting at a desk for many hours a day causes employees to stay in one position for a long time. This puts a great deal of pressure on their backs. Over time, painful back problems can develop and, if left untreated, continue to worsen.
Sitting also takes a toll on our waistline.
Obesity is at an all time high in the U. S., and at least a good chunk of the reason is our sedentary lifestyle. Sitting for a long period (8 or more hours a day) decreases our metabolism. This causes us to burn fewer calories. The time at our desks can end up packing on the pounds.
Sitting can increase the chance of developing a life-threatening disease.
Studies show individuals with sedentary jobs have more health problems than their active counterparts. Cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes are both examples of health issues that arise more often in people who regularly sit down most of the day.
Sitting can cause premature death.
This may sound melodramatic, but it’s true. As we talked about above, sitting for prolonged periods of time puts you at greater risk of diseases that may end up killing you. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine “found people who sat for over 11 hours a day had a 40% greater risk of dying within three years from any cause than people who sat less than 4 hours a day.”
So, what should a sedentary office person do to improve their health and decrease the risk many hours of daily sitting causes?
- Get on your feet! Schedule times during the day to stand up and walk around. If you can’t remember to do it, add an alarm on your cell phone. Even a couple minutes on your feet every hour will help balance prolonged sitting.
- Learn to sit correctly. If you must sit, make certain your chair isn’t causing more damage. Select a chair that is height and angle adjustable. The seat should support your lower body, and the back should fit the curves of your spine. Special bonus points go to chairs with lumbar support and that rock.
- Visit your chiropractor. Back problems brought on by a job behind a desk are not going to magically go away, and can get worse over time. Make a chiropractor appointment, get examined, and work to correct the issue.
- Invest in a standing desk. A growing trend is to turn a sitting job into a standing job. Desks that are taller have the ability to keep you on your feet longer, which will provide many health benefits in the long run.
Good health is one of our greatest assets, and it pays to protect it. By understanding the risks of a sedentary working environment, we can be proactive in increasing activity and promoting our individual fitness.
If you or a loved one needs more insight on how chiropractic can guide you toward a healthier lifestyle, give us a call. We’re here to help!
How our Austin Chiropractor is different
You may well have seen a chiropractor before. Some of our patients haven’t always had the best experience, or they don’t like the idea of the twisting and cracking involved with regular chiropractic. Upper cervical chiropractic techniques, such as Blair or NUCCA , are a very gentle and specific way to realign the bones of the spine and relieve pressure on spinal nerves. Our Blair chiropractor in Austin says it’s a very different approach to what most people think of, when they think of ‘chiropractic’!