Sitting is the New Smoking

Is Sitting Too Much Dangerous?

After loosing myself in the Sitting is the New Smoking pages on StartStanding I was worried. That is to say, I came away thinking it would not be a catastrophe that would bring about the downfall of the human race. No, it might be something as simple as the chair!

Sitting is the new smoking – The Evidence

The Mayo Clinic states: Any extended sitting — such as at a desk, behind a wheel or in front of a screen — can be harmful. An analysis of 13 studies of sitting time and activity levels found that those who sat for more than eight hours a day with no physical activity had a risk of dying similar to the risks of dying posed by obesity and smoking.

However, unlike some other studies, this analysis of data from more than 1 million people found that 60 to 75 minutes of moderately intense physical activity a day countered the effects of too much sitting. Another study found that sitting time contributed little to mortality for people who were most active.

Stand As Much As You Can

However, the articles on Start Standing say that exercise does NOT negate the damage done by sitting. So it looks like sitting is the new smoking. In other words, stand as often as possible throughout the day. Even if only for a short period of time and transition to a standing desk.

Tutoring at standing desks will not work for all subjects or all students. On the other hand, standing for too long comes with its own problems. But standing up from time to time and encouraging your students to do the same will keep the blood moving and switch things up a bit. Furthermore, as the Japanese have always maintained it will help improve focus.

Sitting and Standing

It would seem that a combination of sitting and standing is best. Most importantly it’s the movement going between the two itself which is beneficial. So, if you believe that sitting too much is dangerous and are interested in the much touted solution to the sitting versus standing debate, you might have found yourself gazing longingly at a Sit & Stand desk.

However, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on the fancy motorized desks that go up and down at the touch of a button. Because, let’s face it, you will leave it down and sit most of the time. Additionally, tutoring in a student’s home does not give you that option. Consider that chairs have been going up and down for a while now, so if possible and your home/work allows, concentrate on your chair. I have a permanently high standing desk and just bought a counter height desk chair.

Sitting is the new smoking – Oases Online

So if you have decided that sitting too much is dangerous, Oases Online Tutoring Management system works on a computer on any height desk! Even a device whilst moving around. Manage online applications, records, scheduling, billing, payroll calculations, testing & learning plans all in your go-to scheduling system. Helping you combat sitting is the new smoking!

Want to see it in action just press the booking button below and select a convenient time to have an online demonstration with an Oases Technical Specialist.

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