What Happens to Your Body When You Sit?

Long periods of sitting cause changes in your body. These include:

• Overproduction of insulin by your pancreas. Cells that aren’t moving don’t respond as well to the effects of insulin, so your body makes more. This can lead to diabetes over the long run. A 2011 study found changes in insulin sensitivity after one day of prolonged sitting.
• An increased risk for colon, breast and endometrial cancers. The reason isn’t clear, but one theory is that excess insulin encourages cell growth. Another is that regular movement boosts natural antioxidants that kill cell-damaging free radicals.
• Poor circulation. Sitting decreases blood flow to your lower legs, putting you at risk for blood clots (DVT).
• Mushy abs/glutes and tight hips. When you’re standing, your abs hold you up, giving them a workout. If you’re sitting, they don’t have to do much! Same for your glutes. Hip flexors become tight if you’re not upright. This can affect balance and increase your risk for falling.
• Brain fog. Movement pumps blood to your brain…keeping you clear and energized.Perimenopausal women have enough issues with brain fog without adding to it!
• Neck, back and shoulder strain. Craning your neck forward all day and slouching over a keyboard puts a lot of strain on your upper body. Wonder why you have those knots in your shoulder muscles? Look no further than the way you sit at a desk.

http://www.drannagarrett.com/2015/08/how-moving-your-butt-can-add-years-to-your-life/?inf_contact_key=b57e5b9368e16ebbab01c5fd1a2432b185362c6e2ee808f970d619bf7134c886