As per a recent study, if you are sitting down, you shouldn’t be still.
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Long sitting time did not affect the mortality risk of middle and high-range fidgeters. Comparatively those people who very rarely or never fidget had a 30% higher risk of death when sitting for seven or more hours straight per day, even though they might be exercising later in the day.
Many of us can easily sit for up to eight hours a day; however, even if we are active, it is not necessarily enough to combat the effects of prolonged sitting. A new study out of Britain has connected fidgeting with better overall health among office workers. “If you can make your TV watching or screen time more active that could be beneficial”, he advises.
A new study from the University of Leeds and the University College London indicates that even the smallest activities are crucial to our health.
Previous studies have stated that people who sit long hours at desks and generally indulge in sedentary lifestyles run increased risks of developing diseases. The research comes from the University of Leeds and UCL.
The study was only based on women self-rating the amount that they fidget while sitting down, so it’s definitely not conclusive, because it’s highly likely that many people would classify themselves as habitual fidgeters when they barely move, and vice versa. In other words, the notion that “sitting is the new smoking” may not apply if you fidget.
Researchers, however, noted that fidgeting is not a solution to replace physical exercise, but it is a solution especially to those of us who are too exhausted or lazy to workout.
For their study, the British research team examined the habits of 14.000 women, all with the age somewhere between 35 and 69, all living in the UK.
Sitting for long periods of time without getting up to walk a bit and flex one’s muscles can shorten lifespan.
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Janet Cade from the University of Leeds mentioned in a statement that while more research was needed, the current findings also raise questions on how negative factors associated with fidgeting such as lower level of concentration, and rudeness would persist. According to researchers, fidgeting such as tapping the feet or changing sitting positions can help fight off the development of various health conditions.
