You may want to get up from your office chair or couch and stand up a bit more often, as being on your feet throughout the day can be incredibly beneficial to your overall health. (Heck, you might even want to invest in a standing desk for your well-being!) That’s right, sedentary is bad and standing is good! We’ve got some exciting news, and we’re ready to share what standing on your feet all day can do for your body, according to an expert.
You are probably very curious about how staying still can be a respectable form of kindness to your well-being. First of all, just by standing, you are activating the muscles and burning calories. also can improve your balance! In fact, as you get older, standing on one leg is a recommended exercise to maintain good balance. This “balance test” can also be a key indicator of how long you’ll live, according to WebMD.
There has been so much warning information about being sedentary, including the increased risk of obesity, high blood pressure, stroke, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, and certain forms of cancer. MedlinePlus reports. It goes without saying that standing is a solid way to increase your physical activity. By investing in a standing desk, you can really break up a 40-hour work-from-home week. So read on to find out what standing on your feet all day can do to your body.
Too much of anything is never good.
Now that you know that standing can be quite positive for your body, know that too much of anything is never a good thing. We spoke with mike bohlMD, MPH, ALM the Director of Medical Content and Education at Ro and a member of the Eat this, not that! board of medical expertswho cautions: “There’s the fact of standing too much, especially if you don’t change positions very often.”
There has been research on how long standing is considered too much. “Things often start to go downhill after about two hours of continuous standing, and even more so after about four hours of continuous standing,” explains Dr. Bohl, adding: ” That said, some of the negative side effects, like pain, can show up within 30 minutes of standing up.”
Your spine is compressed when you are standing up.
The entire time you are standing, gravity is pulling your body downward. Dr. Bohl tells us: “One of the effects of this is that the spine is compressed and the muscles of the neck and torso must remain activated to maintain posture. Over time, these muscles tire and stand for long periods of time.” prolonged use can lead to neck pain, lower back pain, fatigue and discomfort.The leg muscles also get tired, leading to leg pain and foot discomfort.Another effect of the constant pull of gravity is that blood can pool in the legs, causing circulatory problems.
People who stand for long periods of time on a regular basis are at higher risk of developing varicose veins. Varicose veins appear crooked and enlarged and are very noticeable through the skin.
If you’re pregnant, listen.
Another negative effect of being on your feet constantly, especially for more than eight hours at a time, can lead to potential problems. Research reveals that prolonged standing is linked to preterm birth and low birth weight babies. If you’re pregnant, it’s important to talk to your health care professional if you have to be on your feet for long intervals.
Walking contracts and relaxes muscles and is great for blood flow.
If your job requires you to be on your feet for long periods of time, it’s a great idea to take a few breaks to change positions, move around, and rest. If you need to stay still, you might consider having a stool nearby. If you can leave your spot for a moment, walking around, sitting down, and lifting both feet off the floor are all good ideas.
Dr. Bohl notes: “Walking contracts and relaxes muscles over and over again, which can be good for blood to flow more effectively. Muscle contractions are also the way lymph flows through the lymphatic system.” , a not so commonly talked about body system that supports the circulatory system.”
As with any kind of pain or discomfort, you shouldn’t wait a few hours to get on your feet to do something about it. To feel his best, Dr. Bohl recommends being proactive and not waiting a couple of hours or until he’s at the point of discomfort before getting active. He says, “Try moving around for a few minutes every half hour or so, whether it’s changing positions, stretching, bending your knees, sitting temporarily, or anything else, and take an even longer break if you start to notice back pain.” or swelling in the legs.
alexa mellardo
Alexa is the Mind + Body Deputy Editor for Eat This, Not That!, overseeing the M+B channel and providing readers with engaging topics on fitness, wellness and self-care. Read more about Alexa
