There’s a quote you may have seen in the papers or on TV recently:
“Sitting is the new smoking”.
But how true is that statement?
Like with many headlines we see in the news, We feel it’s sensationalised and needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.
Comparing a sedentary lifestyle to intentionally inhaling countless toxins and carcinogens, seems fairly excessive, after all.
That said, more and more research is showing that being too sedentary (i.e. not moving enough) can have a hugely negative impact on your health, including:
- An increased risk of heart disease and stroke
- An increased risk of obesity and diabetes
- An increased risk of anxiety and depression
- An increased risk of cancer
- And an overall Increased risk of death
Let’s be clear – it’s not that sitting down for a few hours is going to kill you. But when combined with the other habits we can often slip into as the result of a sedentary lifestyle, the risk increases.
Poor nutrition and diet, failure to do any exercise, increased weight gain, poor sleep, and many more.
And in the short term, not moving enough is only going to make any pain you experience even worse.
We’ve said it before, and We’ll definitely say it again: “Motion is lotion!”
But not spending too much sitting down is easier said than done, especially if you spend your days working at a computer!
And it’s a problem that’s been made worse by the shift to ‘work from home’ – where desk setups are often crammed into the corner of a spare room.
But there’s one fairly simple solution that can have a huge impact on how long you spend sitting:
A standing desk.
It can take some getting used to standing to do your work, but before you know it, you’ll find yourself feeling more comfortable and productive while you work.
Many desks are now available in a sit/stand option, where you can adjust the height based on whether or not you’re sitting down or standing up.
Best of all, you don’t need to invest in any new furniture to try this out.
There are plenty of inexpensive options which allow you to raise the height of your laptop, or monitor and keyboard, without changing your existing desk setup.
But remember – whether you’re working in a seated or standing position, ensuring your monitor is at eye level, your back is straight, and your knees are aligned underneath your pelvis, is vital.
And above all, the most effective way to create a healthy lifestyle and habits for yourself is through regular Spinal adjustments.
It’s a misconception that Chiropractors, Osteomyologists and Osteopaths just treat pain.
Although many of our patients first come to us because of ‘symptoms’ (neck pain, back pain, migraines, etc), they stay with us for the long term impact on their wellbeing, sleep, energy levels, and overall quality of life.
Why not contact us today to find out more about how Alba could help you?
Alba spinal health Team
