Human beings were not meant to sit all day, but unfortunately, many of us do. It's not entirely your fault! You don't get much choice in the matter if you have to sit at a desk or in a car all day for your job (like I do...and I know a lot of you do too!).
Here's what happens to your body when you spend too many hours sitting:
1. Weaker bones. Moving around prompts your body to replace old bone tissue. If you don't move around enough, it doesn't happen, so you end up with weaker bones.
2. Depression and anxiety. This can snowball, because the more you sit, the less you feel like moving, which makes you more depressed. Plus, the things we do while sitting also lead to depression...stuff like overeating and watching too much TV.
3. Back and neck pain. After four hours of sitting, the discs in your spine start to compress, which can lead to back and neck issues, especially if you have bad posture.
4. Blood clots. Your blood moves slower through your legs when you sit all day, which can cause clots . . . also called deep vein thrombosis. If a piece of that clot breaks off, it can end up in your heart, lungs, or brain and kill you.
Sounds great, huh?
Doctors say that, even if you have to sit a lot for work, try to make a point of moving around when you can. Try taking breaks throughout the day where you walk around the workplace for 5-10 minutes. If possible switch to a standing desk (my husband has one at his office and loves it!). Take a walk when you get home, or do moderate exercise at least 3 days a week to keep your bones and muscles strong.