Stand for Lower Health & Life Insurance Rates

Many years ago, the health risks of smoking were not known. Of course, nowadays, science has made us all very aware of the risks. Modern life is changing every day and desk jobs have become part of that. That means that many workers find themselves sitting during the majority of the day. And we may not have understood the risks of sitting for long periods of time twenty years ago, but we know them now. According to the Heart Foundation, “sitting is the new smoking”. They share that “over 25% of American adults sit for more than 8 hours every day. 44% of those people get little to no exercise”. This may not seem that alarming, but science tells us it is cause for concern.

What are the Risks?

You might be wondering what is so dangerous about sitting. After all, it is very comfortable. Unfortunately, that comfort comes at a cost. Excessive leads to increased risk of:

• Diabetes

• Cancer

• Obesity

• High Cholesterol

• High Blood Pressure

• Poor Circulation & Blood Clots

• Heart Attack

• Stroke

In fact, the Heart Foundation reports that, a 2011 study showed that people who sat most often had a 90% higher "risk of death from cardiovascular events". That is a pretty convincing argument against sitting!

Combating the Negative Effects of Sitting

If you work in a setting where you are at a desk, this article is critical to your health and well-being. In addition to your longevity, this also impacts your health and life insurance costs. Read below for tips on how to avoid the perils of sitting:

1. Schedule Breaks: If you have an Apple Watch, there is a cool feature that alerts you 50 minutes into every hour, encouraging you to stand. If you do not have a fitness tracker, you can set alarms on your phone to remind you to take a break from sitting once every hour.

2. Walk It Out: The Heart Foundation highlights that “60-75 minutes of moderate activity (steady walking) can counter the effects of too much sitting”. You can squeeze this in before work, on your lunch break, or after work. Depending on the weather in your area, there are lots of affordable treadmills that can help you achieve this walking goal indoors.

3. Stand Up for Your Health: Whenever you finish a task like sending an email or completing a phone call, stand up to celebrate. Walk around for a few paces before settling back down. Intermittent standing breaks up the long stretches of sitting.

4. Stretch: If you do not have time to take a walk, just stand and stretch a couple times every hour. Learn a few yoga poses and incorporate them into your routine for added benefits.

5. Incorporate Exercise: Add some gym or outdoor time to your schedule. A great way to avoid sitting is to be active. Try to set aside at least 30 minutes a day to do some type of physical activity.

6. Advocate for a Sit-Stand Desk: This is a game-changer! You can sit for an hour and then raise your desk and stand for an hour to balance things out. See if your employer will invest in sit-stand desks.

7. Stay Hydrated: What does this have to do with sitting? Well, if you stay well hydrated, you will likely feel the need to take regular bathroom breaks. That’s a great impetus to get you up and walking to the bathroom. If you have multiple bathroom locations at work, try visiting one on another floor to get more steps in.

Read about other ways to improve your health and cut insurance costs on Insuravita.