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By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

How often do you find yourself sitting each day? For some, sedentary time can be most of the day, whether it be because of a desk job, because of school, etc. There are many different health issues that can arise from sitting too much, but luckily the negative effects of sitting can be counteracted by adding a little activity to your day.

According to the Mayo Clinic, sitting for long periods of time can cause obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat, and higher cholesterol levels. The Mayo Clinic also notes that those who sit for prolonged periods of time also have a greater risk of early death.

So, how do we combat sitting for long periods of time? According to Keith Diaz, a behavioral medicine professor at Columbia University Medical Center, the kind and length of movement aren’t that important, Just getting in any kind of movement for a couple of minutes each hour does a lot to counteract the negatives of sitting. Whether it be a walk, squats, stretches, or some other kind of movement, the overall goal is to just get your muscles moving.

Another benefit to taking a break to move around a little bit is that it also boosts your mood! It’s a great way to clear your mind of whatever you were working on, give you a little more energy, and maybe even increase your productivity when you get back to work!

When you find yourself sitting for a long period of time, take a quick break and get some movement in! Not only will you be helping to counteract the effects of sitting, but you’ll also be boosting your mood and helping yourself be more productive!

For more health-related articles, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!