Good News for Fidgeters

By now, I'm guessing you've heard about the health effects of sitting. Those of us logging hours in front of computers, TV's, and sitting in cars on long commutes have an increased risk of:

• heart disease
• diabetes
• cancer
• anxiety
• death (!)

Sitting has been said to increase your risk of heart disease just as much as smoking! And in the research I've seen, this is even if you exercise for an hour at the gym before you go home.

But I have some encouraging news for you: it seems that even small efforts to move more can make a big difference.

For example, as this article explains, there is research to show that some of these health risks are lower in people who fidget.

And this one shows that even a two minute walk each hour can offset these drawbacks.

Encouraging, right? You don't need to start running races to undo all that time in your chair. Here are some more suggestions to stay moving throughout the day:

• If you have a laptop or other portable device, put a shelf or a small table on top of your desk so you have the option to alternate sitting and standing throughout the day
• Walk down the hall to speak to a coworker, rather than sending an email
• Get up to refill your water bottle (two goals in one!)
• Go the long way around to the copier or to the bathroom - bonus points if you can go up one set of stairs and down another on your way
• When tidying up the house, make a trip up or down the stairs for each item you put away
• Stand up, walk in place, or do simple stretches during each commercial break
• Pace or walk in place while on the phone, brushing your teeth, or waiting for the microwave

What other suggestions do you have for fitting a little bit more movement into your day? Let us know in the comments section below!