Your Office Chair Could Be Killing You

If you're like most working adults, it's quite likely that your job entails sitting at a desk every day. In fact, it's possible that you've been sitting down since 8 a.m. this morning and haven't even gotten up to use the ladies' room. It may be time to stand up—it could save your life.

A recent study by the American Cancer Society found that women who reported more than six hours per day of sitting were 37 percent more likely to die sooner than those who sat fewer than three hours a day. And this is regardless of one's daily exercise routine. Combined with a lack of physical activity, women had a 94 percent higher risk for mortality than their physically active counterparts, who also sat the least.

If you find this post depressing so far, you're probably not alone (including this blogger who has been sitting at her desk for many hours today already).

So, let's take the focus off what we're doing wrong and start thinking about simple ways to start changing our behavior and encouraging our loved ones to do the same. If you're sitting at your computer right now reading this blog post, it's time to do one of the following:

1. Stand up and take a lap around your office floor or pay a visit to a colleague's office.
2. Walk to the kitchen to get a glass of water.
3. Instead of ordering lunch in, take a walk and grab something (healthy of course!).
4. Stand up and do some simple stretches.
5. Need to meet with a coworker? How about taking a walk to talk instead of chatting with them across the desk or via e-mail?

Finally, try adding physical activity to your routine after work (sitting on your couch for six hours counts the same as your office chair). Try taking an after-dinner walk or opting for some uplifting tunes instead of getting sucked into the TV. Step 1: Stand up.

Click here for ideas on getting motivated and starting a new exercise routine.