If you sit all day, here’s exactly how much you need to work out to avoid the scary-sounding “death risk”
If you sit all day, here’s exactly how much you need to work out to avoid the scary-sounding “death risk”
Many of us have jobs where we’re required to sit for most of the day at a computer, and it’s easy to slouch or hunch over, because gradually that becomes more comfortable. Except, it’s a BIG no no.
The medical community has long emphasized the importance of taking regular breaks from our inactive jobs (or our TV watching, no judgement) to walk around and stretch, because physical inactivity is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and other potentially fatal conditions.
If you do sit for extended periods, a study has shown that engaging in one hour of physical activity a day (like a brisk walk) could eliminate health risks, and even death.
Due to the fact that physical inactivity is a huge problem all over the world, researchers analyzed data from over 1 million people, categorizing them into different groups according to their activity level and how long they sat down for each day. The least active people did just five minutes of physical activity a day, and the most active did an hour or more.
They concluded that people who sat for eight hours a day but were physically active had a lower risk of death, compared to people who sat for fewer hours a day, but were not physically active.
“There has been a lot of concern about the health risks associated with today’s more sedentary lifestyles, said Professor Ulf Ekelund, lead author of the study. “[But] Our message is a positive one: it is possible to reduce – or even eliminate – these risks if we are active enough, even without having to take up sports or go to the gym.”
Of course, this study confirms what we already know, that physical activity is required to maintain a healthy lifestyle, yet it emphasizes it further by urging all adults to do 60-75 minutes of physical activity every single day.
It’s simply not enough to work out once a week, getting out and about should be incorporated into daily routines.
If this has inspired you to do some exercise, be sure to keep it up! Grab some friends or your dog, have some fun while you’re at it. Your body will thank you later.
The post If you sit all day, here’s exactly how much you need to work out to avoid the scary-sounding “death risk” appeared first on HelloGiggles.
