Cardiologist issues warning over increasingly common lifestyle habit that’s 'as bad as smoking'
Bec Oakes
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Image
It's a well-known fact that smoking is terrible for your health.
Regularly puffing on a cigarette impacts nearly every organ in the body, and it increases the likelihood of developing a number of diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and various lung conditions, just to name a few.
But did you know there's another common lifestyle habit that doctors say is just as bad for your health?
NYU cardiologist Stephen Williams has warned that being sedentary - a lifestyle characterised by being physically inactive and doing very little exercise - can be just as harmful.
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And simply standing at your desk instead of sitting isn't the solution we might think it is.
Of course, we all know that movement is key to keeping our health in tip-top shape.
Benefits of staying active include improved heart health, increased muscle strength, a better night's sleep, enhanced mental wellbeing, and reduced risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
But a large proportion of the UK population isn't moving enough.
In fact, around 39 percent of UK adults are failing to meet government recommendations for physical activity, according to the British Heart Foundation. And it's having some pretty serious impacts on our health.
As well as diabetes and heart disease, a sedentary lifestyle has been linked to weight gain, mental health problems, and even cancer.
Speaking to the NY Post, Williams said: "A sedentary lifestyle is now seen as the ‘new smoking lifestyle.' It is that bad."
But, while using a standing desk may burn more calories, he urged that it can't replace exercise.
"When people come to the office and say that they have an active life because they are on their feet all day, I am not impressed," he said. "You may not be moving at a pace that fits the definition of 'physical activity.'"
Biohacker and fitness expert, Ben Greenfield explains: "The negative health consequences of being sedentary for more than 60-90 minutes apply to any position... including standing."
So, instead of just standing instead of sitting at work, Williams says we need to get our bodies moving on a regular basis.
"If you have seen your physician and you are cleared to be active, it is essential to have daily physical activity," he said.
But you don't need to run a marathon or compete in a Hyrox event in order to stay active.
Dr Williams says that raising your heart rate for just 15 minutes twice a day is enough to start reaping in the benefits.
And standing up from from your desk and moving around every 30 minutes or so will help prevent the negative effects of being sedentary.