Sitting pretty -- and healthy
Chances are you're sitting down for 11 to 12 hours a day, in your car, at work and home, and that doesn't count the seven to eight hours you're sleeping. That means the average American adult's notion of motion comes in at around five hours a day -- and most of that doesn't qualify as the moderate to vigorous activity needed for substantial exercise benefits.
Research shows the consequences of sitting on your backside (in addition to a flabby rump), include obesity, elevated blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels, an unhealthy waist circumference, and an increased risk of death from heart disease, dementia, and some cancers.
Good news: If you find it difficult to get the 60 to 75 minutes of moderate aerobic activity that research shows can help offset the effect of too much sit-down time, there's another approach that will help protect you: standing up and walking around for five minutes twice an hour. And while it's not enough to reverse all the hazards of super-sitting, it's a step in the right direction.
A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that taking that short break from sitting every 30 minutes measurably improved folks' mood, relieved fatigue and significantly lowered blood pressure and blood sugar.
So, stand up for your well-being by letting frequent short breaks from sitting inspire you to aim for the life-changing benefits of 60 to 75 minutes of aerobic activity daily. And for more inspiration to get pro-active, tune in to my "YOU: The Owner's Manual" podcast on PodcastHealth.com.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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