Sitting for too long
Along with staring at a screen, simply sitting all day has bad consequences for our health. “As a chronic behavior, [sitting] leads to all the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle including weight gain, diabetes, and high blood pressure,” Dr. Ansari says. Although some research shows an increase in blood pressure or numbness specifically while sitting cross-legged, Dr. Ansari says those effects are only temporary, and won’t really affect long-term health. “Crossing your legs doesn’t cause clots except for those at risk of arthritis or high blood pressure, or those who are physically inactive longterm,” Dr. Fowler agrees. But, walking throughout the day helps to prevent arthritis, and can also help to prevent high blood pressure. “Most of the harmful effects are from the simple act of sitting for prolonged periods,” Dr. Ansari says. Studies show walking around periodically can help. When you are seated, it’s important to have good posture so you don’t get neck or backaches. “When you do sit make sure you scoot into the seat and use the back of the chair to help you sit up straight,” Dr. Ansari says. “This will help ease the tension on your back muscles. Your knees should be at 90 degree angles and your feet flat on the floor.”
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