Keep fidgeting to live longer
Posted on Monday, 2nd July 2012
People who keep fidgeting could live longer than those who sit still for long periods, a new study has revealed.
Spending too much time on sedentary activities like working at a computer or watching television can shorten a person's lifespan and raise the risk of conditions like heart disease and stroke. But breaking up your "sitting time" throughout the day with simple activities like walking or stretching your legs even for a minute or two at a time could counteract the harmful effects of being a couch potato and lead to better overall health, researchers said.
"People are watching television for up to four hours a day and spending 60-70 per cent of their time being sedentary, and that is because of our lifestyle and occupations," said Dr Wilby Williamson, an NHS expert in sports medicine.
"Reducing our sitting time makes us better at breaking sugars and fats down, which can help reduce our risk of metabolic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease," Dr Williamson was said.
Studies have shown that the amount of time we spend sitting down is associated with reduced lifespan and a higher incidence of heart disease and stroke.
Dr Williamson said: "The risk factors for cardiovascular disease and longevity start to increase above two hours of television watching per day. If you can make your TV watching or screen time more active that could be beneficial.
"Also, make sure your are not sitting for long chunks of time. Some studies show there is a beneficial effect of breaking it up every 20 to 30 minutes."