57% Blame Office Jobs for Sedentary Lifestyle Health Risks

57% Blame Office Jobs for Sedentary Lifestyle Health Risks

We sit in our cars.

We sit at our desks.

We sit on trains.

We sit on planes.

We sit on the couch.

We sit in waiting rooms.

We sit in meetings.

We sit in movie theaters.

We sit in bars.

We sit in coffee shops.

We sit in class.

We sit in church.

Why don’t you sit down before I tell you something.

This may not sit well with you, but we can’t sit on our hands anymore.

We can’t sit idly by. But please feel free to pay for a front or exit row seat.

So sit up and take notice!

Ugh.

It’s no wonder why we call a sedentary lifestyle, “the sitting disease.”

It’s like Uncle Sam is telling the entire country to “please be seated.”

Now that I’m aware, I realize he actually is telling us to do this.

We’re more than happy to oblige.

We’re sitting around too much. We’re couch potatoes. We’re not exercising nearly enough. We spend our leisure time sitting around in front of computers, TVs, video games, etc. Worse yet, a large chunk of Americans spend the majority of their time at work sitting on our collective duff.

57% of office workers blame their job for their sedentary lifestyle health risks. This may not be coincidence. From 1950 onward, sedentary jobs have increased by 83%, and physically active jobs have dropped to around 25% of the workforce. Our work week has fattened to 47 hours a week, tacking on an additional 164 more hours annually compared to 20 years ago.

We incur a dizzying array of ailments, maladies, risks and diseases as a result of staying seated and not getting regular exercise.

• Fewer calories get burned, increasing the likelihood of weight gain.
• High blood pressure and increased cholesterol levels.
• Heightened cancer risk: colon, breast and uterine for example.
• Increased susceptibility to depression and anxiety.
• Possible loss of muscle mass, strength and endurance. (Falls, accidents)
• Weaker bones and loss of select minerals.
• Worse blood circulation.
• Possible hormonal imbalances.
• Higher risk for some cardiovascular diseases, i.e. heart disease, heart attack and coronary heart disease.
• Increased cases of inflammation.
• Possible weakened immune system.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Metabolic syndrome causing inability to break down sugars and fats.

If you’re one of the millions of cubicle cowboys and cowgirls jockeying at a desk all day you may experience: less agility, body aches, muscle stiffness, joint pain (lower back, neck, hip, etc.), as well as loss of balance and mobility. And that’s not to speak of any posture problems that arise.

Ok, now take a deep breath. Inhale, exhale, 3 times. You’re still alive. But if you stay seated, this guy might pass by for a close call.

But you definitely may consider changing your lifestyle to correct the adverse effects of a desk job and/or sedentary lifestyle. You might want to try some basic exercises.

If you’re not among the 31% of people intimidated at the mere thought of going to the gym, the best way to stay healthy and offset the risks of a sedentary job or lifestyle requires a disciplined, strength training regimen, which you can learn about here.