Ah, the sedentary lifestyle. Something our society has gotten way more used to than we should. From hours at our desks, to hours commuting, to sitting down and binge watching TV, it’s a wonder that we aren’t fused to our chairs! And maybe you’ve heard, all this sitting is really bad for you.
Chances are you’re reading this right now while sitting down, and if so, stand up! Here’s some motivation to do so, and some easy tips to get you moving more than you do now ; )
As far as the genes in your body are concerned, you’re still in the year 200,000 BC. Very little has changed anatomically between the prehistoric humans of that time and those of today, besides slight variances in features and skin color.
For the overwhelming majority of human existence, we lived as hunter-gatherers. The former part of this required lots of running, and the latter demanded long hours of walking. Either way, you had to be on your feet for the majority of your day if you wanted to survive.
If you take a look at yourself now, you can see how the human body evolved for long distance running and walking, long legs and an upright frame combined with stride-strengthening swinging arms make for efficient forward locomotion. We are a marvel of prehistoric evolution.
The overwhelming majority of human societies have evolved far beyond the days of hunter-gathering, past the pyramids and over the Brooklyn Bridge into an industrialized era where most manual labor is mechanized. Instead of making a living on our feet, we do it on our seat.
The cubicle is not our natural habitat, nor is the car, or the dinner table, or even the couch – relatively speaking. We are not meant to be sitters and, in fact, it was only recently that the chair as we know it today was used for anything other than royal or religious ceremony.
By this point you can guess what happens to the human body after hours of sitting every day, day after day, week after week, year after year. Maybe you’re even already standing up. Either way, it all makes sense when you consider our origins. We’re natural runners and walkers. Our bodies aren’t designed for sitting at a desk, in a car, or on the couch for the majority of our lives. You have to get out there and get active, and avoid sitting down at all costs.
This may seem like a major life adjustment, but it is you who must learn to adjust to your body, not the other way around. After all, the blueprints for its existence have been around a lot longer than you have.
A few of my favorite tips to help you transition to a less sedentary existence are:
- Wear compression socks – FUTURO™ Graduated CompressionLegwear for both men and women is not only stylish but beneficial by offering graduated compression which improves circulation, with maximum compression at the ankle that gradually decreases up the leg. FUTURO™ Legwear is ideal for being on your feet or sitting in one place all day, traveling, or active office work. Need some now? FUTURO™ Graduated Compression Legwear is available in a variety of styles, sizes and colors for both men and women in the pharmacy section of major retailers nationwide, including Walgreens, visit Futuro.com for more information. Plus, you can see how to wear them here: http://youtu.be/ysDiwgPY0Xk
Switch to a standing desk – While it may seem daunting to re-do your office, there are simple and affordable ways to upright your desk. One of my favorites is using the Ikea standing desk hack which will cost no more than $50 and maybe an hour’s worth of time to set up!- Get up and walk – If you are at an office that you are unable to convert to a standing desk, make it a point to walk as much as possible. Coffee breaks, after lunch, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking further away from the entrance, etc. Also, getting a walking buddy will help keep you on track. Every step helps! By wearing FUTURO™ Legwear all day, you can have continuous energy and support delivered throughout the day.
- Eat an anti-inflammatory diet – Eating a poor diet can help hasten the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. By eating a clean, whole plant based foods diet, you are less likely to succumb to inflammation and illness thereby helping your circulation.
- Hydrate – Drinking the proper amount of water daily will help keep you hydrated, alert and healthy as well as keep your body from cramping and stiffness.
Every little bit you can do to get moving will add healthy years to your life! So stand strong and get movin’!
Additionally, FUTURO™ Graduated Compression Legwear has launched the FUTURO™ STAND STRONG sweepstakes to celebrate the daily achievements of people who are standing strong on their legs and feet all day. From now through July 27, 2015, FUTURO™ Graduated Compression Legwear is hosting the FUTURO™ STAND STRONG sweepstakes, inviting people nationwide to share stories about how they make an impact while standing strong every day for a chance to win a series of prizes.
The FUTURO™ STAND STRONG sweepstakes offers a series of prizes, including the chance for hardworking individuals to win the opportunity to put their feet up and relax while experiencing a trip of a lifetime and more.
The Grand Prize winner will have the choice of one of the following vacations, including airfare, accommodation, and more:
- Spa Vacation – A trip for two, four days/three nights at the Miraval Resort in Tucson, Arizona
- Disney Family Vacation – A trip for four, five days/four nights at Disney World in Orlando, Florida
- Romantic Getaway – A trip for two, four days/three nights at The Cloister in Sea Island, Georgia
Additionally, two runner-up winners will each receive a Zappos.com gift card, and the first 1,000 eligible individuals to submit an entry will receive a pair of FUTURO™ Revitalizing Socks
Visit this site to enter the FUTURO™ STAND STRONG sweepstakes, for sweepstakes rules and regulations and more information about FUTURO™ Legwear.
And for an added bonus to see how much I loveFUTURO™ Legwear, watch my video below!
