While sitting isn’t quite as bad as smoking, there are a host of health complications that it increases the risk of.
-Obesity
-Back and Neck Pain
-Blood Clots
-Cardiovascular Disease
-Diabetes
If you have a desk or other sedentary job think about how much you sit every day. It could be 90% of the time you’re awake!
Standing has been shown to increase your resting metabolic rate by as much as 2x when compared to sitting. This is why sitting contributes to obesity.
![](https://compassptnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sitting-smoking-back-pain.jpg)
Here’s a bit of advice from Dr Rachel Schumate.
"I typically use a standing desk when I am doing any sort of computer work. However, If I don’t have access to the proper height counter or table, I use books or boxes to give more height to my laptop. To reduce back pain with standing, I tend to unlock my knees and stand with a wider base of support with my feet hip width apart. I’ll often put a small stool or step in front of my feet that will allow me to weight shift back and forth. When I need a standing break, I set a stool or tall chair behind me that still fits the ergonomic measurements in the photo above. Don’t forget that it’s important to take breaks! Even micro breaks of 30-60 seconds every hour can boost your productivity!"
Dr Rachel Schumate
This is what the Mayo Clinic recommends.
- Take a break from sitting every 30 minutes.
- Stand while talking on the phone or watching television.
- If you work at a desk, try a standing desk — or improvise with a high table or counter.
- Walk with your colleagues for meetings rather than sitting in a conference room.
- Position your work surface above a treadmill — with a computer screen and keyboard on a stand or a specialized treadmill-ready vertical desk — so that you can be in motion throughout the day.
By following this basic advice you can live a happier, healthier life!