Here’s some news you don’t want to take sitting down: 

According to epidemiologist Dr. Genevieve Healy, sitting for more than 6 hours a day increases your risk of dying prematurely by more than 40%! Now, 6 hours a day sounds excessive, but look at it this way: 

Researchers found that most office workers sit 5 hours and 41 minutes every day. Add in the 45 minutes the average person takes to commute to and from work, And the 3 hours the average adult spends watching TV. And the typical person spends over 9 hours a day sitting! 

If you’re thinking, “Good thing I run every morning” - listen closely. An Australian study found that sitting for long periods offsets any benefits you get from exercise. 

Here’s the deal: The compound that’s responsible for how you process fats is made in your leg muscles, and it isn’t being produced unless you’re moving. And without a steady supply, you store more fat – especially around the waist. And belly fat has been linked to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. 

Luckily, standing for just 2 minutes an hour can make a difference. 

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, that’s the minimum amount of time it takes to get your blood chemistry back on track. But the more time you spend on your feet, the better. So, try taking calls standing up, walking to a colleague’s desk instead of sending an email, and getting up during commercials. Or, better yet, replace TV time with a nice, long walk.