Technology has become a fundamental part of our everyday lives. Many of us spend more hours in front of screens than we spend eating, sleeping, and exercising combined each day. Our lives have become more sedentary than ever before.
This abundance of sitting behaviour is having a negative impact on our health.
The average Canadian adult spends 50 to 70 per cent of their daily lives in a seated position and another 30 per cent sleeping. Whether at our desks, in our cars, or on the couch, we sit more than we don’t.
We know that physical activity is known to help reduce more than 25 chronic conditions such as:
- Coronary heart disease
- Stroke
- Hypertension
- Breast and colon cancer
- Type 2 diabetes
- Osteoporosis
It also helps achieve and maintain a healthy weight, relieves stress, and improves self-esteem and energy levels.
We also know that those who sit for more than 6 hours a day are at a greater risk for many long term and short term health problems.
Activity matters to your heart and your brain. It’s not necessarily about running marathons, aggressive exercise programs, or sport activity. All that matters is that you’re moving. The bottom line is; you can’t be sedentary AND healthy.
So, what does this look like? (You might want to stand for this…)
Comments
Submitted By: Mark MacKEnzie
Well put…simple and to the point. We’ve got to keep Nova Scotians moving.
As a province, if we spend less time sitting on a daily basis, we won’t be sitting so long in waiting rooms.
#ExerciseIsMedicine