In one of my latest articles, we looked at the silent and the hidden Impact of Stress and Weight on Blood Pressure. Today I will briefly go through another "Hidden Health Risk" that can lead to significant health issues in the long run.
TNO released a report on February 27 titled "Sitting While Working." The results show the Netherlands is the European champion for sitting at work. The report, translated from Dutch, is reposted below. Download the fact sheet "Sitting at work 2023" and discover why the Netherlands is the European sitting champion (at the bottom of the article).
A shocking statistic shows 26% of Dutch people aged 15 and over spend more than 8.5 hours a day sitting, well above the European average of 11%. Sitting for long periods of time poses major physical and mental health risks. The sectors where people spend the least time are trade (3.4 hours), agriculture (3.2 hours) and catering (1.3 hours). Lawyers, financial specialists and software and application developers sit for 7.3 hours at work.
It's a significant problem, especially for those high achievers and busy professionals who often find themselves desk-bound for most of the day.
Why Sitting Too Much is a Silent Health Hazard
- Cardiovascular Health at Stake: Extended sitting can be likened to leaving a car engine idling too long. The body's metabolic engine slows, disrupting blood sugar regulation, fat breakdown, and blood pressure maintenance, paving the way for heart disease.
- Muscle and Posture Dilemma: Our body is a complex machine. Inactivity, like long sitting hours, leads to weakened hip flexors and leg muscles. Plus, hunching over computers can cause back and shoulder pain due to poor posture.
- Metabolic Mayhem: Sitting excessively can lead to insulin resistance – a precursor to Type 2 Diabetes. Imagine your body's insulin struggling to open locked cells, leading to accumulated blood sugar.
- Mental Health and Mood Swings: Movement triggers endorphins, our body's natural mood elevators. Less movement from prolonged sitting can, therefore, affect our mental health, potentially causing anxiety and depression.
- Risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Long sitting spells increase the risk of blood pooling in the legs, possibly leading to DVT – a clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg.
- Weight and Obesity Worries: When seated, our body's calorie-burning hits a low due to minimal physical engagement, contributing over time to weight gain and obesity.
For us, desk-bound warriors, integrating movement into our day is crucial. Consider a standing desk, take regular walking breaks, or use a pedal exerciser under your desk. It's not just about big workout sessions; small daily movements have significant health benefits.
Like maintaining a car, regular short drives (or walks) are better than leaving it idle for too long. It's time to rethink our work habits for our health's sake. Let's stand up (literally) for our health!
Remember that we have one and only one body to carry us through this experience we call life.
Take care!
Fabrizio
