We average 9.3 hours a day. And it’s lethal.

Posted on by Live & Learn

Chairs - Geraldo de Barros

Sitting is the Smoking of our Generation:

  • I find myself, probably like many of you, spending way too much time in front of my computer.
  • As we work, we sit more than we do anything else. We’re averaging 9.3 hours a day, compared to 7.7 hours of sleeping.
  • Sitting is so prevalent and so pervasive that we don’t even question how much we’re doing it. I’ve come to see that sitting is the smoking of our generation.
  • Of course, health studies conclude that people should sit less, and get up and move around. After 1 hour of sitting, the production of enzymes that burn fat declines by as much as 90%.
  • Research shows that this lack of physical activity is directly tied to 6% of the impact for heart diseases, 7% for type 2 diabetes, and 10% for breast cancer, or colon cancer.
  • You might already know that the death rate associated with obesity in the US is now 35 million. But do you know what it is in relationship to Tobacco? Just 3.5 million.
  • A doctor is quoted as saying that excessive sitting, which he defines as nine hours a day, is a lethal activity.

Read Full Post @ HBR Blog Network: Sitting is the Smoking of our Generation

Image: Geraldo de Barros via Yama-Bato

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44 thoughts on “We average 9.3 hours a day. And it’s lethal.”

  1. Guilty! It’s playoff weekend and I will be on the couch watching the games. I know I will be doing a lot of jumping up and down, so I will turn it into jumping jacks. We all need to heed the warnings of too much sitting.

    BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!

  2. Ironically, I recently heard a piece about the incredibly negative consequences of sitting for too long. Which made me stand up while typing away on my laptop…which made me bend over and strain my back. Just kidding – it makes total sense. Excuse me while I go boogie my way to the coffee-maker.

  3. Not to mention how sitting must also be to blame for lower back problems and poor circulation! This hits home for me I’m sad to admit….

    1. Laughing. I wonder – who actually buys these things. Do they end us as an large electronic gadget parked in the basement gathering dust. (Apologies to all followers in advance if you have one and love it!)

  9. Oh, that’s horrible…and that is so me…too much sitting in front of the computer, for work and everything else…and too little sleep. Sometimes I think the only thing that saves me is my dog, who makes me get up at least 30 times a day to go out the back door, in the back door, out the front door, in the front door, run after her toy, leap for her toy…yes, Bella saves me. No wonder I love her so much. 🙂

  12. While sitting may be an issue, I think you may have to add food choices in there as well to really rise to the level of damage that smoking does. Our poor food choices of processed, nutrition-deficient items cause so much stress to our bodies! I think sitting pales in comparison.

      1. haha! You and me both! Although, I’ve been pretty serious about making better food choices since the new year and it has made me feel more energized throughout the day. Keeps me motivated to continue!

  14. So true. And people do t realize what they are missing out on by not walking everyday or using public transportation. I love it. But I love to be right in the middle of life and it’s energy because I know it is but a fleeting moment to be human. Very good reminder my friend.

  19. Very informative I must say. This line “Sitting is the Smoking of our Generation” worked for me. I will be careful from now.

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