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Dr Bollmann, Skin Care Specialist, Anti-Aging Expert
Sitting is the silent killer of the spine.
If you want back pain when you get older, or neck pain, then sit as much as possible.
There is an urgent need to refashion our entire daily routines in order to integrate more purposeful physical activity as well as engaging in sport more frequently.
So in answer to the above question, I would say sit as little as possible.
A study looking at 2,223 participants as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES) showed that "2 hours of sedentary behavior can be as harmful as 20 minutes of exercise is beneficial." So sitting is a serious problem, but the solution is a simple one (not easy, but simple!).
Some recommended guidelines go something like this:
1) Avoid sitting if you can by using a standing or adjustable desk (or even a treadmill desk!), limiting t.v. watching on the couch to no more than an hour, etc.
2) If you work from a desk then stand every 55 minutes and stretch for 5 minutes. Bathroom breaks and running little errands count. Instead of emailing a colleague consider walking over to have a quick chat. it all helps.
3) Based on the study quoted, people spending 8 hours sitting down (don't forget to count commuting time in the car/train/taxi, at the dinner table and the couch!) should be exercising for at least 80 minutes every day! That means that we should be seeing the average American out jogging or at the gym for an hour and a half every week day!
Stay classy, and Stay ACTIVE!
