Sittosis: The New Smoking
Dr. James Levine, an author, proved that just 90 sec of walking around every 30 minutes can reset the whole metabolic and hormonal cascade
Sir Jack Nicholson quoted in 'The Shining', "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". This statement has its credibility in the 21st century, the modern facilities are reengineered in ways that minimize human movement and muscular activity. From an evolutionary perspective human beings were designed to loco mote and engage in manual labor but this recent shift from a physically challenging lifestyle to sedentary one has broken havoc on our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
New species in the town, 'The Active Sedentary': People who are engaged in extreme physical activity for one hour but sitting around the rest of the day. We cannot offset 10 hours of stillness with one hour of slog in the gym. The research carried on NASA astronauts suggests that on their return from space, even light walking was effective in overcoming the negative effects of weightlessness.
Dr. James Levine unearthed the benefits of walking in his book 'Why your chair is killing you'. He proved that just 90 sec of walking around every 30 minutes can reset the whole metabolic and hormonal cascade.
The British Medical Journal has made some shocking discovery by linking increased risk of cancer, depression and anxiety to prolonged hours of sitting.
We are so engrossed in our daily activities that sittosis has become an integral part of life. The mental activity is on an all-time high, physical activity takes a back seat.
Prolonged sitting has compounded effect on all the organ systems.
A study published in The American Journal of Epidemiology stated that Females that sat for over 6 hours a day were 90 percent more likely to die whereas males with 6 hours and over sedentary lifestyle had 40 percent chances of succumbing to sittosis. The amount of exercise was not reversing the harm sitting was causing. The only solution to this was to stand up and move!!!!
The British Medical Journal of Sports Medicine has compared sitting to smoking. Each cigarette reduces the life expectancy by 11 minutes. Compared to sitting in front of the television for 6 hours reduces it by 22 minutes. The recommended 30 minute workout per day is just not enough. Interrupted continuous activity throughout the day will help us reap the maximum health benefits.
We should walk around the office, take the stairs, walk and talk to the colleague instead of messaging. Being healthy is a choice, there is no one giant step that does it, but a lot of little steps.
HILLS HURT……. BUT COUCHES KILL!!!!!!!!!!
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