Sitting all day is BAD for you-Sit and Stand Desk
Perhaps we’ve been beating a dead horse on this subject, but it’s worth repeating: sitting all day is bad for you. Like, really, really bad.
First, the benefits: Experts say that working at a standing desk instead of sitting all day long can reduce the risk for a number of health conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology and conducted by researchers at the American Cancer Society suggests people who sit for long periods of time have an increased risk of disease and a shorter average life span. Another study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2011 found when workers used standing desks and reduced their sitting time by about an hour a day, they reduced their upper back and neck pain by 54 percent and experienced improvements in mood.
Some people like to get a cushioned floor mat to stand on. And adjust your office footwear accordingly — it may not be as fashionable, but wear comfortable flat shoes or even go without shoes when standing at your desk.
Dr. Rob DeStefano, a chiropractor in private practice in New York City, recommends alternating back and forth between sitting and standing. “It is best to do 30 minutes of each for most people, but if one is used to sitting, increase the amount of sitting time to about 45 minutes and 30 minutes standing would be better,” he told CBS News. “Yes, standing too much can become uncomfortable and irritate the hips or back if they have any prior injuries.” He recommends purchasing an adjustable desktop that balances on a regular desk and moves up and down, rather than a stationary standing desk unit. This way you won’t feel like you’re stuck constantly on your feet.
Sitting is the new smoking, they say, and studies have linked too many hours on your duff to an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer and early death. Not even regular exercise can counteract the health impact of sitting all day long.
(cbsnews.com)