I am not sure if you are familiar with the phrase – “sitting is the new smoking of today’s generation”. What this simply means is that too much sitting puts us at risk for various diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The reasons for this are that sitting for long periods slows down the metabolism, decreases the good cholesterol and increases the bad cholesterol. Insulin in the body becomes less responsive and glucose levels surge. Most people remain stationary at work and when stress is added to the mix, we tend to reach for the first sign of comfort food. Too much stress is not ideal because the body produces cortisol and this leads to fat retention. Without physical activity, the body continues to store the excess weight. Some solutions to sitting for long periods of time are:
- Get up and take frequent breaks.
- Stand up at the desk and work or do some stretching exercises.
- Walk outside for a breath of fresh air, clear the mind and replenish oxygen in the brain.
- Meet a colleague at a location in the building such as his/her office.
- Conduct a brief meeting and stand would to allow blood to circulate throughout the body.
For more information please visit these website links.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sitting/AN02082
Here is another website on wellness with some statistics on how sitting for long periods affect the body.
http://blog.wellnessfx.com/2012/11/13/sitting-is-killing-you/
Quote
“Regardless of how you feel inside, always try to look like a winner. Even if you are behind, a sustained look of control and confidence can give you a mental edge that results in victory."
Arthur Ashe
1943-1993, Professional Tennis Player
“Ordinary people believe only in the possible. Extraordinary people visualize not what is possible or probable, but rather what is impossible. And by visualizing the impossible, they begin to see it as possible."
Cherie Carter-Scott
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