06 March, 2017
Feeling old? You’re probably sitting too much
In keeping with our theme of older workers, did you know that sitting for 10 hours a day with less than 40 mins of exercise can age your cells by up to 8 years?
A study recently completed at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine has discovered that biologically, people who live a sedentary lifestyle are up to 8 years old than their chronological age. Focussing on 1500 women aged 65 – 95, the study discovered that the cells of women who sat for 10 or more hours a day and exercised less than 40 mins a day were 8 years ‘older’ than their chronological age.
Women who sat for long periods of time yet exercised regularly for at least 30 minutes did not have the same level of cell ageing.
Sedentary lifestyles are a contributing factor to many preventable health conditions.
The Australian guidelines for physical activity for people 65 and over can be found here.
Here are some tips to easily incorporate more exercise in your day:
- Take a walk around the block at lunch. It will clear your head and make your afternoon more productive, as well as get your body moving;
- Get off the tram or bus one stop early and walk the rest of the way to the office (or home). If you drive, park a bit further away from the office than you usually do and walk in;
- Wake up 45 mins earlier than usual and go for a walk for 30 mins;
- Take the stairs, not the lift/escalator;
- Walk to someone’s desk to talk to them, rather than emailing or phoning them.
If you have found a good way to get more exercise in your day, let us know by tweeting your best ideas to @dohrmannconsult
