Take a stand for your health

Take a stand for your health!  As I was writing this blog, my awareness of how much I sit became evident.  Personally, I don’t believe our bodies were made to sit for long periods of time.  So I took a stand.  I stretched, I walked down the hallway, I stood while talking on the phone, I even stood up while reviewing my work.  My hope is when you read this; you too will take a stand.  The health benefits of standing are tremendous from head to toe.

Here are a few interesting FACTS:

1.       Sitting time adds up with car time, work time, screen time, social time, eating time… it’s more than the 8 hour work day time.

2.       With the advent of screen time, commuting and desk jobs,  we are sitting more than any other time in history: average of 9 hours per day … that’s more time than spent sleeping (approx. 7 hours)!

3.       The recommended 30 minutes of exercise a day is not enough to off-set sitting.  Interrupt every hour with walking, stretching and moving your body.

4.       As soon as you sit, electrical activity in the leg muscles shuts off.

5.       As soon as you sit, lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme that helps break down fat drops 90%!

6.       As soon as you sit, calorie burning comes to a halt – only 1 calorie per minute.

When I sit for long periods of time, I become restless, irritable, cranky, uncomfortable – and I’m not even strapped in a car seat.  You would probably not want to do a road trip with me.  However, I find that if I just do some simple stretches, toss in a dozen arm circles or stand whenever possible I feel better physically and mentally.

As Priority Health’s Wellness Ambassador I’ve scheduled many of my meetings to include walking.  Even my boss is game!  Because an office setting is necessary, we usually can only devote 10-15 minutes. Yet those 15 minutes is just enough activity to refresh the body and mind.

As a company, Priority Health stands for wellness too.  One example is the adjustable hydraulic desks which are housed in its customer service department.  The screens and keyboards are also adjustable.  By enabling employees to adjust their sitting habits throughout the day, Priority Health has healthier, happier employees who can provide fantastic customer service.