New Series of Articles Will Help You Stay Healthy
April is National County Government Month and this year’s theme is Healthy Counties, Healthy Families. In recognition of National County Government Month, Employee Benefit Services and Humana have put together a series of articles that will appear in this and future issues of eCountyLine to help County employees and their families live a healthier lifestyle.
"No Time" Exercise Routines
Most of us could stand to be in better shape, especially since we spend much of our day sitting down. It seems as if there's always something in the way of us starting a new exercise routine. We think we need to join a gym, buy special equipment or clothes, or use a trainer. And of course, we also think it's hard to find the time.
But it doesn't have to be like this. If you can grab 60 seconds, you can be on your way to better health. And if you're one of those people who spend most of your day sitting down, we really do need to talk. Because, as it turns out, even a few minutes of daily exercise could help keep your job from hurting you.
Too Much "Sitting Down" Time Can Make You Sick
Most workers spend at least three hours a day sitting at their job, and many spend much more time than that.
According to a review in the October 2010 American Journal of Preventive Medicine, too much sitting really does cause health problems. The review covered 43 different health studies gathered in 2009.
So what's the link between too much sitting down on the job and health problems such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neck pain, headaches and back pain, plus other issues? One could be high Body Mass Index (BMI), which is how much fat our bodies have compared to our overall weight. A high BMI comes from weight gain or too little exercise. Another link is poor circulation; our blood isn't moving around enough to carry the oxygen our bodies need. More...
