Have you heard the phrase “sitting is the new smoking?” It’s become popular during the last decade, when we became more aware of the dangers of prolonged sitting, like obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. As a result, standing desks became a simple fix for those who were concerned about the effects of sitting all day and wanted to make an easy change.
But it turns out, standing desks may not offer all the benefits people hoped for, according to a new study. Researchers in Australia followed 83-thousand participants and found that standing for long periods may not improve heart health and may even raise the risk for certain circulatory problems.
- For the study, participants wore tracking devices to monitor their sitting, standing and physical activity over several years.
- Instead of just relying on self-reported information, the devices provided accurate data, which shows that sitting for more than 10 hours a day is associated with a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.
- But just standing for that long instead didn’t reduce the risk, in fact, it comes with issues, too.
- Standing for extended periods of time is linked to a higher risk of circulatory problems, as it can cause blood to pool in the legs, which can lead to conditions like varicose veins.
So, if swapping sitting for standing isn’t a perfect solution, what is? Movement, according to the study. Our bodies do better with regular movement than just being in the same position, whether it’s standing or sitting, for a long time. Taking walks, stretching and doing light exercises throughout the day can help balance out the effects of all the standing and sitting.
Source: CNN