5 Ways Your Office Is Hurting Your Health

besthealthmag.ca

4. Too much sitting

In recent years, scientists have begun to understand more precisely why long periods of sitting is bad for your health.

For example, a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2010 followed more than 120,000 people and found that those who sat for more than six hours a day had a greater risk of fatal diseases associated with obesity, in comparison to those who sat for three hours or less a day. According to the authors, one explanation is that the enzymes associated with metabolizing food become less active during long periods of sitting.

According to endocrinologist Dr. James Levine, you can engage your muscles – and keep your metabolism active – through “Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis” or N.E.A.T. That basically means getting up and stretching every 15 minutes, touching your toes, rotating your spine, etc. There are also plenty of free apps that send reminders or alerts to take stretching breaks.