Stand Up for Better Health

A study released this week in the Annals of Internal Medicine reinforces something most of us inherently know. Sitting for too many hours a day is unhealthy. The study was able to quantify the risk of a sedentary lifestyle, and showed a significant increase in heart disease, diabetes, cancer and early death.

Not surprisingly, people who sit for 8-9 hours a day and do not get regular exercise are at greatest risk of the ill effects of being a couch potato. However, the study also showed, those who practice intense exercise and sit for many hours a day, are also at increased risk. If you sit at a desk all day, even if you consider yourself an active person, make a conscious effort to get up and move at least once or twice every hour. (I’m talking directly to my husband right now.) Even standing for 1-3 minutes every half hour will make a big difference.

— On your commute, get up and stand occasionally.

— Take the stairs.

— Drink water, but don’t fill a jug. Force yourself to get up for a refill frequently.

— Stand at your desk and work.

— Hide your remote — gasp!

Simple standing not only burns twice as many calories as sitting, it can prolong your life and preserve your health. Get on up.