This is a shocking statement to hear reported by authoritative sources over the last several years.

We all know how harmful smoking is to our health, but is there any weight to the statement that sitting can be just as bad? 

According to Mayo Clinic, research has linked sitting for long periods with several health concerns, including obesity, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and unhealthy cholesterol levels. These risk factors all correlate to the number one cause of death in the U.S., heart disease. 

More people have desk jobs, and we look at screens for hours daily. To add insult to injury, many Americans have an additional sedentary commute via car, bus, or train. 

What is the opposite of inactivity? 

Movement, action, motion, flow, and exercise. 

Movement has many mental and physical health benefits, including:

• improved brain health
• better cognitive function
• reduced risk of anxiety and depression
• improved sleep
• overall enhancement in quality of life 

There are numerous ways to move our bodies. 

Tips to help get you up and moving.

1) Set a timer for every 30 minutes. Take 5 minutes to walk, stretch or stand to get the blood and lymph moving in the body. 

2) Purchase a standing desk for your home or the office to allow you to work standing or sitting. These can even be purchased second-hand at an affordable price. 

3) Use opportunities to move your body more, such as using the stairs, walking or biking to work, or walking on a treadmill while talking on the phone.     

4) Ask a friend or co-worker to walk, hike, or run with you before or after work for accountability. 

5) Invest in a treadmill or stationary bike for your work or home space to get more movement when possible. 

6) Take a dance class.

Dancing is not only a fun way to accomplish this goal but has also been studied for its health benefits. According to a research study by Frontiers in Psychology, dancing may:

• improve emotional health.
• reduce stress hormones.
• release dopamine.
• increase serotonin levels.

This might explain the popularity of health club classes such as Zumba, Dance Yoga, and hip-hop, to name a few. Not only are you moving your body, but you are also releasing feel-good hormones, such as dopamine, into your body, boosting energy and your emotional state.

Summary

We all know how much better we feel after movement. It’s just as crucial for our mental wellbeing as our physical health. 

While movement might feel overwhelming or difficult to work into your routine, the benefits you receive will far outweigh the brief resistance to change. Choosing small steps towards better health and increased activity can bring big payoffs over time. 

Movement is definitely the new healthy. 

Here’s to your health and being more active!

Sources:

FastStats - Leading Causes of Death (cdc.gov)

Frontiers | Engagement in dance is associated with emotional competence in interplay with others (frontiersin.org)

Sitting risks: How harmful is too much sitting? - Mayo Clinic

Thank you for reading Patient Education Essentials, the Write Shift RN blog.

Disclaimer: This article was written as a guest post for Write Shift RN LLC's blog. The information in it may not be wholly fact-checked or edited, allowing the reader to see the writer's work and skills firsthand. This information is not intended as medical advice. It is for informational and educational purposes only. Always talk to your doctor or other qualified healthcare providers about any questions or concerns you may have regarding medical conditions.