Sitting may seem harmless, but it can shorten your life. In this Health Smarts video, Vonda Wright, MD, shares a simple anti-aging tip to boost your longevity: Spend more time standing and add more activity throughout your day.
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If you spend large chunks of your day in a sitting position then listen up, it's time for a break from your chair. Hi, I'm Dr. Wright. Whether you're riding in a car, working at a desk, or watching TV, you need to get up and get moving, and do it often. Stand up, walk around, stretch your legs, do something, anything.
If you don't, your longevity will take a hit even if you're a regular exerciser, that's right. In a 12 year study people who sat for most of their day had higher mortality rates, even if they also exercise for 30 minutes everyday. The chair dwellers won't bring their mortality rates down to the level of someone who sat for only a quarter of the day.
So what do you do? First, you should still exercise. Among people who sat for the same percentage of time each day, the active people live longer than inactive people. Second, aim for longer periods of activities during your leisure time. The more you sit for work, the more you should move around for the rest of the day.
Want to learn some more ways to stay healthy and live longer? Watch all our smart tips.
Vonda Wright, MD, a Sharecare Advisory Board member and orthopaedic surgeon, is an expert in active aging. She specializes is the creator and director of the Performance and Research Initiative for Masters Athletes.
