It’s no secret that our bodies aren’t designed for a sedentary lifestyle. Yale Medicine reports that too much sitting can lead to early muscle fatigue, a weakened core, tightened hip flexors, lower back pain, and reduced spine flexibility. Perhaps even more concerning, Mayo Clinic notes that prolonged periods of sitting have also been linked to a rise in blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, as well as excess weight gain, and an increased risk of heart disease and cancer.
The situation is not without hope, however. A 2016 analysis published in The Lancet found that 60 to 75 minutes of moderately vigorous exercise a day can counteract the effects of eight hours of sitting. We know an hour-long sweat session isn’t doable for every person, but what if instead of checking our social media accounts every hour we used those five minutes more judiciously? Here are a few creative ways you can add a little more movement to your day.
