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I'm guessing that you are reading this while sitting down - possibly at work. Over 80% of working Americans work desk job. That's about 8 hours a day sitting around on their bum causing themselves nothing but harm. Are you one of those individuals? If not, I bet you've taken a weekend or two to binge on some tv or Netflix. I'm not judging, I've been there before. But are you aware of the harms of sitting for long periods of time?
The health hazards of sitting.
Working as a blogger from home means I sit most of the day. However, I have the luxury of a few different options - sofa, kitchen table, desk, bed, etc. Don't be jealous of the work-from-home amenities. But prior to working from home, I worked in an office sitting in a teeny, tiny cubicle. I would get feelings of guilt from sitting all day or mental fog that would make it difficult to drive home. Sitting for hours on end isn't good for anyone.
Click to tweet: Do you know the dangers of sitting for hours?I experimented with walking around the office multiple times a day, different chairs, and even a standing desk. Outside of the standing desk, there was one item that saved my life, but first let's talk about the dangers of sitting for multiple hours at a time.
Can lead to heart disease.
Prolonged sitting has been linked to high blood pressure and those that are more sedentary, are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. That's scary right?!
Can cause weakened abs.
We tend to get really comfortable, or lazy, while sitting in a chair. This means that our ab muscles are relaxed and not being used. And by sitting with poor posture your back muscles get tight creating all sorts of problems.
Causes hips to get tight.
Ever get up after sitting for a long time and you need to give your legs a good shake before taking a few steps? Yep, your hips are tight. When you are sitting, your hip flexors are constantly flexed. Then you get up and start walking around but your hip muscles are short resulting in a shorter stride. And it's been said that decreased hip mobility with age leads to more falls.
Leads to poor circulation in legs.
A slowing of blood circulation occurs when you sit for a long period of time and this can cause fluid to pool in the legs. This can lead to more serious issues, such as swollen ankles, varicose veins, blood clots, and deep vein thrombosis.
Click to tweet: Sitting for long periods of time can lead to heart disease.Creates a strained neck.
Unless of course you are deep couch sitting! But, sitting staring at a computer can be a pain in the neck, literally. Whether you are leaning forward to focus on your computer or shrugging your shoulders while typing, neck stains can lead to permanent imbalances.
What is the one product that could add years to your life.
Now that we know the dangers of sitting, how can we combat this while still working or enjoying a few episodes of our favorite tv show? Get yourself a stability ball. Sitting on a stability ball forces your ab muscles to contract to balance. It will also force you to sit up straight and be more alert. And don't be embarrassed to bring one into your workplace. I used to keep two stability balls at my desk along with the pump. Sure, I got a lot of looks for coworkers, but who cares.
Click to tweet: The one product that could add years to your life.To this day, I still keep a stability ball in my home office. It has been a game changer in my work day and with my health!
Do you work a desk job?
Have you ever tried sitting on a stability ball while working or watching tv?
Don't forget to pin for later.
