Sitting is the New Smoking

Have you ever heard the phrase “sitting is the new smoking”?

Well, I tend to agree with that. In our modern culture, we all sit way too much. Most of us have desk jobs and hardly move more than our fingers and thumbs for hours at a time. And beyond our sedentary jobs, there is a tremendous lack of activity in our free time and social lives.

Before we could stream an endless number of shows, movies and documentaries, our free time consisted of dancing, roller skating, racquetball leagues, push-mowing our yards, or cleaning our own windows and gutters.

For many of us these days, we not only sit way too much at our jobs, but we sit way too much when we aren’t at work.

Sitting too long can negatively affect your health in several ways. Here are three key reasons:

1. Increased Risk of Chronic Diseases: Prolonged sitting is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. It can lead to poor blood circulation and insulin resistance, even in people who exercise regularly.

2. Muscle Weakness and Poor Posture: Sitting for extended periods, especially with poor posture, can weaken core muscles, hip flexors, and glutes. Over time, this can lead to back and neck pain as well as decreased mobility.

3. Mental Health Effects: Extended sedentary behavior is associated with increased feelings of anxiety and depression. Physical movement supports the release of mood-regulating chemicals like endorphins, which are reduced during long sedentary periods.

To mitigate these risks, you should exercise daily but also get up and walk or move around every 30-60 minutes. Be mindful of how much you’re sitting throughout the day and be intentional about more movement.

If you need help and accountability to get moving, Axio Fitness is here for you!