The Effects of Sitting Disease and how Active Sitting can help you

As a writer/blogger I have to work mostly sitting down looking at my computer and typing like crazy. If you are sitting right now, take note of your body and how you are sitting. Did you just adjust your posture? We know that working in a sitting position for a long time can cause absolute havoc on our bodies. Research has linked sitting for long periods to obesity, increased blood pressure, high blood sugar and abnormal cholesterol levels.

Which is why today I am going to interview Ergonomics expert Scott Bahneman who is going to be sharing information on how people can combat “sitting disease” and be healthier and more active day by day.

What is Balanced Active Sitting?

You have probably already heard of the term “active sitting”… it’s thrown around a lot today…especially in offices.  (It’s the yoga balls, under-desk foot peddler, standing desks, etc.) Active sitting is an attempt to be healthier by moving more.  Being more active while you sit understandably affects physical health (the more you move, the more calories you obviously burn,) but new studies show a surprising link between balance and the brain. According to new research, the way you sit not only affects physical health, but it also has a dramatic impact on mental health and brain performance.

New research shows that balance is the key component needed to make active sitting effective and today, balance therapy is being employed in clinics as a holistic approach to help people increase focus, concentration, and brain health to treat conditions such as ADHD, dementia, concussive head injuries, and more. Balanced Active Sitting improves your posture, burns calories and helps you stay alert and focused, resulting in an overall healthier lifestyle.

What are the impacts of sitting on overall health?

The statistics on this are crazy. Physical inactivity is linked to more than 3 million preventable deaths every year globally, ranking as the fourth leading cause of death Too much sitting can affect breathing, blood circulation, posture, and previous studies have linked prolonged sitting time with death from cancer, heart disease, and other chronic diseases.

The scientific community even coined the phrase “sitting disease.” to describe this modern-day malady. Although it’s not officially classified in the DSM-5 yet, “Sitting Disease” is absolutely a health risk.

As a blogger, most of the time I am working on my computer or laptop. What would you advice someone like me to do?

So, how can you combat sitting disease? Standing and moving more are obvious answers but it’s not always easy or realistic for people with busy daily lives. This brings us to the second solution: balanced active sitting. Challenging the body’s ability to balance will help you combat the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle and it will also improve your brain health too.

There are numerous technological advances and gadgets available to help combat the ill effects of sitting disease. Some specialty office chairs and other types of furniture, for instance, help stabilize your spine and strengthen your core by requiring you to balance on your center of gravity as you sit. With this approach, you not only improve your posture and burn calories, but you stay more alert and focused, resulting in an overall healthier lifestyle.   

What are some of the steps someone who works from home can take?

Look for ways to stay in motion throughout the day.  Here are some tips:

• Take laps around the house during phone meetings.
• Schedule a 15-minute walk during your day. Even if you work alone and don’t need to notify colleagues, putting it on the calendar or To Do list helps ensure it actually gets done.
• Invest in a chair that promotes balanced active sitting (like this one.)
• While running errands, always park in a spot farthest from the door to get in some additional steps.

• Work on your Balance! It is one of the four main classifications of fitness (along with strength, endurance, and flexibility.) Ironically balance is often overlooked even though it is essential and it lends itself perfectly to the work setting.
• Always take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Practice balance while watching TV. If you already have a chair that promotes balance therapy, see if it has a convertible function that allows you to stand.

Finally, what is the most important thing you would like to advise to Sifa’s Corner readers?

Sitting has become part of modern culture and we need to be proactive if we want to be healthy.  If science shows us that some chronic diseases can be prevented, why not prevent them?

Start today by developing new habits – and getting the tools you need – to set yourself up for ultimate health success.

ABOUT SCOTT BAHNEMAN:

Scott Bahneman is an ergonomics expert on a mission to combat “sitting disease.” He is the Founder & Chairman of SitTight™ a company that has transformed sitting into an activity that improves your health by using your body’s natural ability to balance. Bahneman been featured on Innovation Nation with Mo Rocca, Fast Company Magazine, and last year, SitTight won the bronze at the 2018 Edison Awards!
For more Information visit: www.SitTight.com, Facebook, Twitter: @ScottBahneman

Loved this interview? Read the previous article about HACK YOUR WAY TO FRUGAL FITNESS WORKOUTS WITH THESE TIPS.

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