Sitting For Too Long Can Kill?

CASE STUDY

It was September 24, 2007, on a Monday evening, Cathleen Renner, 47, sat down in her home office to tackle a project. Renner has been working for AT&T for 25 years. She spent hours at the computer that night, making a plan for a possible employee strike. When her son got up at 7am, she was at her desk. Renner took her son to the bus a little later, and as she walked out the door, she clutched her leg and let out a cry of pain. Still, she returned to work. At 11:34am, she called an ambulance. Renner was dead by the time she reached the hospital. In a workers’ compensation claim filed after her death, her husband argued that her sitting was what killed her. Renner died of a pulmonary embolism after a blood clot formed in her leg. 

Source: macleans.ca

In today's world where everyone goes for an office job because of the high pay, employers are often glue to their seats for longer  hours. Many also live a sedentary lifestyle where they are seated for longer period watching the television and making use of the computer. Not left out also, are the transport/courier workers who are always behind wheels for much duration. Various health risks are involved whether or not you exercise the rest of the time. Researchers have linked sitting for too long to a number of health problems. Some of which are heart disease, obesity, stroke, diabetes, excess body fat around the waist, increased cholesterol around the abdomen and blood clot which could also lead to an early death. Many of us don't really know the damage we are doing to ourselves when we are in the habit of sitting for too long. 

 

The following things happen when we sit;

 1.The electrical activity in the legs and gluteal muscles (buttocks) slows way down.

 2.Calorie burning slowly to 1 calorie per minute.

 3. Enzymes in the blood that burn fat drop precipitously.

 4.After two hours, good cholesterol levels can drop 20%.

So now you could imagine what will happen if we decide to remain on seat for too long. Moving your body really matters, both to your heart, brain and metabolic processes. It is important to recognize that being static can be detrimental to your health. So how can one avoid or reduce the consequences of sitting for too long? Here are some few tips to help.

• If you are sitting for too long it is really important you take regular breaks by getting up on your feet. Taking breaks, even if they are as short as a minute can be beneficial. You will prolong your life and also remain substantially healthy. Most times I get up from my seat and take a little walk before returning back to my seat because I realize when a person sits for long period of time, the muscles burn less fat and the blood tends to flow slowly abnormal.

• During vacations, some people sit at home all through watching episodes of different movies. And sometimes they eat along while watching those programmes. You need to get up and move your body. This lifestyle can make you gain abnormal weight and increase your risk of diabetes. Engage yourself with exercise no matter the weather.

•  If you always drive to work, do park your vehicle some few meters from your workplace to enable you make a brisk work to your office building. During lunch breaks at work, do not always order for food rather walk to where ever you can get food to eat. Rather than always using the phone to communicate, walk around to deliver messages to fellow colleagues.

• If you are a driver who is bound to cover long distances, it advisable to take breaks at regular interval to help stretch the legs and the rest of your body. Oh! Pilots can't do this. They can't stop the aircraft in the air. That is why there is always two of them.

Renner died of a pulmonary embolism after a blood clot formed in her leg. This can happen to anyone who is always sitting. You can prevent it! Spread the word to friends and family by sharing this article.