From the office chair to the couch, Australians are spending more time seated than ever before. With many of us either still working from home, or under new flexible working arrangements, on top of spending more time at home, don’t let sitting become your new bad habit.
Research suggests office workers in Australia are now sitting for up to 10 hours a day.1 Sitting for long periods can have negative effects on the body, increasing a person’s risk of developing heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.2 Not to mention the negative effects incorrect sitting can have on your spinal health and posture.
The urban myth is that you can off-set a sedentary lifestyle by simply watching your diet and getting some exercise. But this ignores the modern reality that you might be sitting down for long periods of time.
If you find yourself sitting more these days, try and find ways to incorporate moving and walking into your everyday routine. This could be by taking a work call standing up, making sure you go for a walk during lunch or setting a timer every hour to get up, stretch and move your body.
It is also recommended that workplaces consider introducing walking meetings and get a workplace presentation from a health practitioner such as a chiropractor on how to sit right and improve postural fitness.
The Straighten Up app is truly your pocket chiropractor. With posture reminders, exercise programs and other helpful features, it is a great tool to help improve spinal health. The Straighten Up app is available on the App Store and Google Play.
Your local ACA chiropractor can also help by providing lifestyle advice and appropriate care to help improve your spinal health and wellbeing. To find your nearest ACA chiropractor visit findachiro.org.au
1Safe Work Australia 2017, Sitting and Standing, www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sedentary, Web.
2Heart Foundation, Sit less, move more, www.heartfoundation.org.au/heart-health-education/sit-less-move-more
