Sitting is the New Smoking
A recent Runner’s World article, written by Selene Yeager, revealed the negative impacts that a sedentary lifestyle introduces, even for runners or other athletes. Travis Saunders, a certified exercise physiologist at Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, states that “it is entirely possible to meet current physical activity guidelines while still being incredibly sedentary, and that sitting increases your risk of death and disease, even if you are getting plenty of physical activity.” He goes on to compare sitting to smoking--they’re both harmful to your health.
Even someone considered athletic who exercises up to an hour a day can spend up to nine hours a day sitting and can face the same risks the classic couch potato. Sitting shuts down important muscles, genes, and processes your body needs to use to maintain health. In large amounts, it can significantly increase chances of depression and even cancer. Neville Owen sums up the findings of multiple scientific studies by saying “the longer you sit, the higher your risk.”
So what can you do to decrease your time spent sitting? Take lots of breaks, even if they’re as short as one minute. Go for a walk at lunch, or after dinner. Make daily exercise a habit. Your body and your health will thank you.
“Sitting is the new smoking”
