Health Risk. Sitting Compared To Smoking
Health Hazards of Sitting Compared to Smoking
Hi WA family,
I personally know I spend way too much time sitting in front of this computer. I just never realized how bad it was for my health. Yours too if you sit for prolonged periods of time.
I had heard the saying, " Sitting is the new Smoking". Well what the heck was this all about. I had to find out, and what better post for my website.
Do you think you sit for long periods? I sometimes get so carried away, that I become unaware of the length of time I have been sitting here typing. Yes guilty of watching too much TV as well. Several years ago I suffered a back injury and am not as active physically anymore. NO EXCUSE!!!
Humans are built to stand upright. Your heart and cardiovascular system work more effectively that way.
Sitting for long periods can lead to weakening and wasting away of the large leg and gluteal muscles. These large muscles are important for walking and for stabilizing you.
Here are a few of the negative health consequences to sitting for long periods of time:
Weight:
Moving your muscles helps your body digest the fats and sugars you eat.
Cancer:
Emerging studies suggest the dangers of sitting include increasing your chances of developing some types of cancer, including lung, uterine, and colon cancers. The reason behind this is not yet known.
Heart disease:
Sitting for long periods has been linked to heart disease.
Diabetes:
Research suggests that people who spend more time sitting have a 112 per cent higher risk of diabetes.
There are a lot more like depression, anxiety, back problems. It is a long list believe me.
I now take regular breaks, even stand up while I am typing. Changing the position, yoga has some ideas. Even sitting on one of those big yoga balls is better.
Please this is something that we are in total control of. I assure you there will be no nasty side or withdrawal effects.
I know this really does not have much to do with WA, and if I am cutting into your time I kind off apologize. I think this is important, we have a great family here. Let us live long and prosper.
My best wishes,
Michael
Recent Comments
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Good afternoon Michael,
In 1989 after renovating the house I decided no more smoking inside. That would mean I had to go downstairs to smoke, at least some movement.
1Week before Christmas 2015 I smoked my last cigarette. Now, with WA and the websites, I do sit for longer periods, I try to change the position and in between, I do some exercises.
I do my work in the mornings so there at least I move. The afternoons and evenings are spent on my computer and I have put on weight, not funny.
Greetings from the south of Spain,
Taetske
Hi Taetske, thank you for commenting. Congratulations on your quitting smoking. I think a lot of us at WA spend a fair amount of time in front of the computer. We need to take breaks every so often and find a balance. I am trying to do that now.
Best wishes,
Michael
Thanks very much Michael for this great informative post, I believe every ounce of this research because I am living it and could not figure out what was happening to me, I was blaming it on my age.
I have to work on myself much more so.
Blessing to you always.
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth. Thank you for commenting. Can't blame your age, you look pretty good. Got to find that balance in life.
Best wishes,
Michael
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Hey Michael....thanks for the article as it is a reminder for not only myself but others as well. Sometimes I feel like I sit WAY to long and since I have stopped smoking recently I find myself sitting much more than usual. Not quite sure what happened there, but my focus has shifted. Trying to move around more now and ride this stationary bike that I acquired recently. So trying to learn a new behavioural pattern can be tough at times. But not impossible:)
Rick
Hi Rick, thank you for commenting. Congratulations on quitting smoking. Would be nice if you can position your stationary bike close to your computer, and take breaks perhaps every hour. Somehow I think you will have fun this way.
Best wishes,
Michael
I would love to position the bike near my computer, but I live in a 24 foot motorhome....so the computer is inside, and the bike is outside..LOL. Which works well because then I have to get up from the computer to walk outside, which is works very well as it gives my eyes a break from the screen and while on the bike I think of things that I can add to whatever article I am working on at the time....so it's a win win deal :)