We are not made for sitting (long)

I have just read the short book ‘Sitting kills, Moving Heals’ by Joan Vernikos who used to work for NASA’s Life science division.

It is a small book that tries to explain what was observed with returning astronauts and likeness to what happen to people who are immobile and to provide some plan and exercises to avoid the consequences of immobility on health.

She is very focused on gravity (one big difference between being on Earth and in space) but really her main argument is about movement and avoiding so many of our current lifestyle facilities that have reduced our movement to a minimum.

This is very similar to what osteopaths and other healthcare professionals keep telling their patients and the public: gentle repetitive movements are essential to health. So here are I am not talking about running marathon but to start getting up for the desk chair several times a day (at least), parking the car further away to walk more, taking the stairs not the elevator, etc.

My patients are probably tired of hearing me say that “we are not made for sitting”. So even if you get the latest and greatest ergonomic chair you need to get up from it at least every 30 minutes.

… So I will take a break from writing and stand up…. and invite you to do the same.

Other ideas:

• take phone calls standing,

• watch TV standing up,

• get a pedometer,

• walk around the block at lunch time

• meet a friend in a park for a walk instead of the coffee house

• …

Analyse what you are doing at work and home and see where you can add more gentle movements and work against gravity.

Ref: Vernikos, J. (2011) Sitting kills, Moving Heals. Fresno, California: Quill Driver Books.