What To Do About Sitting All Day And Things You Can Do To Improve Your Wellbeing

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Sitting is as toxic as smoking. Research has been pouring the data telling us that side effects from sitting too long can kill us. But before that happens, we will go through an agony of side effects, pains, and thousands of dollars in medical treatments. These days, I am proactive about what to do about sitting all day.

What Happens When We Sit All Day?

It is a legitimate question to ask ourselves of what exactly happens when we sit too long at our desks. 

From my personal experience, I have a lot of friends who do computer and online work. What binds us together is a different degree of back pain. Some of us have a huge lower back pain. Some are complaining for a constant pain in the legs and arms and wrists. Wow, and this is only the smallest tip of an iceberg called “sitting all day syndrome.”

Side Effects from Sitting Too Long

Other side effects from long hours of sitting are high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol, poor posture, poor eyesight, weight gain. Just imagine how debilitating each condition can be. Worse than that, each of the above side effects can quickly develop into a chronic condition. Well, you don’t need to wait for that to happen!

The best thing is to open your mind and figure out What To Do About Sitting All Day.
Doing so is your way out towards your personal well-being.

To sum it up, the side effects of sitting too long at one place will bring debilitating conditions and suffering upon our bodies and psyche alike.

How Can I Stop Sitting All Day?

The first thing you can ask yourself – and really be truthful here – is how many hours you sit during each day of your life. Once you admit to yourself that your sitting habits are far from being within a healthy norm, the next step is create a DOABLE plan of action.

When I first realized that my physical body is going down the drain, I panicked. Then I put into action the following things to make my daily life a healthy living life. Though, I do still do a lot of online work.

Laura’s Tips For People Who Sit All Day

Things that I am doing now have become my lifestyle. You can check the list below and really take at least one tip to start turning your sedentary life into a living life. Your body wellbeing will thank you.

#1 Stand up and get away from your desk EVERY HOUR YOU SIT!

YES, it is imperative that you get up and walk, do jumping jacks, go around the block, do some laundry for about 5 minutes. I utilized my iPhone timer as a reminder for me to get up and move. 

Now, I can actually do it without using my reminder. I’ve trained my body clock well. Activities that I alternate every hour include, but not limited to: yoga stretching, meditation, jumping, situps, starting my laundry, jumping jacks. You can add any of your activities. But what I found really, really helpful is the stretching! I will need to share the stretching that got my lower back pain out of my life. It will be a new post for you.

#2 Take your phone calls standing up

Every time I call or receive a call from someone else, I immediately get up and walk around. Obviously, if you need your computer screen for the conversation to flow, use it. But I most of the time, am doing just fine without any screen reference.

#3 Alternate your sitting and standing work time

There are many ways for you on how to alternate between sitting and standing during the work hours. Besides, you can find some some amazing companies who carry out research and testing of simple, yet effective devices for those who sit for long hours during the day. 

In addition, we can enjoy a wide variety of ergonomic tools and devices that accommodate any computer or laptop size. Take for example, this handy WorkEZ BEST Laptop Stand from UNCAGED Ergonomics. It is light-weight, portable and multifunctional, too. It can be used as a Standing desk, Seated at Desk, in-Bed desk, and when you do your work sitting on the sofa.

Thanks to the flexible joints, I can customize height and angle of my laptop stand. Really, works so well for me during the day. I alternate my sitting and standing work hours. This ergonomic laptop stand is a must-have to everyone who wants to change the sitting patterns in their lives. Take it with you on the road if you wish. The stand folds up and is carried easily in the carry-on or suitcase.

The aluminum construction contributes to the light weight of this laptop stand, and it naturally cools a heated computer as well.

I love the company that leads the industry with innovative tools and options to make our un-sit the long hours sitting trends that dominate this nation. Check out their wobble stools and chairs, anti-fatigue mats, and even balance boards. All they do is figuring out hot to develop the most effective ways to get the sitting population stand up for their better health.

These ergonomic desks, stools and bikes are becoming more and more affordable these days! With the Black Friday deals, you can snap some of the best products on today’s market when it comes to standing desks.

#4 Wear good shoes when you sit or stand

What I found out for myself, it does pay off to wear the best shoes when I am sitting for long hours. Sounds silly, but there’s truth in it. With an adequate foot support, our entire body received a much better balance when we sit or stand during our work hours.

I tried out so many shoe brands. What has been working for me for the past two years is Therafit shoes! 

You can find details on some options that are available for people who have foot pain and how to choose among a myriad of shoe brands on the market.

I wear my Therafit shoes all the time when I am working during the day. Their shock absorbing wedge technology with personal adapters help my feet to feel alive.

I do not need to worry about buying extra shock-absorbing insoles! They’ve been already installed into each and every Therafit shoe! These insoles support the heels. 

And with the compression molded midsole, I feel like a Queen in these shoes. I walk in them, sit in them, and exercise in them, too.

Here’s my guide to the Best Therafit Sandals for Plantar Fasciitis and any woman who wants superior support for her feet.

By the way, I have several pairs of Therafit shoes that I use specifically for each activity. For example, I work in one pair, I exercise in a different pair. This separation of activities helps me to extend the life of my shoes. These Paloma Therafit shoes are some of the latest arrivals.

#5 Add some extra stretching to your daily routine

Sitting for long periods of time, especially with poor posture, makes your hip flexors tight, which causes the glutes (butt muscles) to lengthen to compensate. Adding some simple stretches breaks up the “sleeping” muscles and allow you to retain the flexibility.

You can also try Mayofascial Self Release that brings more flexibility and well-being to organs and muscles.

You see, you can add many things to change your sitting at the desk for long hours a much healthier experience. The next step you will do is decide how exactly you want to feel for the rest of your life. I have made my choice.