New study shows sedentary lifestyle the norm for Brits

Working a nine to five typically means sitting at a desk in an office or cubicle for extended periods of time each and every day. While millions of adults have little choice but to live a sedentary lifestyle while on the job, a new study indicates the sitting trend does not stop at work.

According to a report from AXA PPP healthcare, the average daily time spent sitting is nine hours for Brits. The poll, which surveyed 2,000 workers in the UK, found that almost half sit idle on the job between four to six hours per day, and nearly one-fourth are sedentary for seven to eight hours each day. Adding to the average hours is up to an hour for commuting time for nearly 27% of the respondents.

Although it is common for adults to sit while at work, the recent research suggests a growing problem that plagues British adults even after the work day has ended. Two to three hours per day are spent enjoying leisure time, which often means sitting at home, for half of the individuals surveyed, while almost one-third spend an additional four to six hours sedentary once at home.

The concerns over the increasing amount of time people are not taking steps to be active has the potential to lead to health issues that can be difficult to correct as one ages, but nearly half of the surveyed individuals don’t see this as a motivating factor in changing their behaviour.

The Impact on Health

Within the AXA PPP healthcare survey, close to 75% of the 2,000 adults who submitted responses cited an experience with a musculoskeletal problem, including aches and pains in the neck, the shoulders, and the lower back.

These issues may seem like little more than a simple annoyance, but there are increasing risks of more severe health issues when most of an individual’s time is spent in a sedentary state. Heart disease and the development of type 2 diabetes are also linked to prolonged periods of inactivity, along with a reduction in the amount of oxygen that enters the body throughout the day.

Without enough oxygen flow and blood circulation, adults may also experience a decrease in the level of endorphins which ultimately impacts mental well-being, too.

Eddie Chaloner from Radiance Vein Clinic explains that a non-active lifestyle is often the culprit for other, more serious health issues. Immobility causes slow flowing blood which can result in muscle atrophy over time in the legs and the glutes. Similarly, hip flexor muscles may shorten, causing painful issues with the hip joints, and poor circulation increases its potential to clot and develop a deep vein thrombosis, also known as a DVT. The symptoms of each of these issues can range in severity for each individual who leads a sedentary lifestyle, but over time, correcting health problems due to limited physical activity are a challenge to overcome without invasive medical intervention.

Tips for Prevention

The results of the survey are alarming, but there is hope for Brits who want to shift away from a life of sitting. Currently, slightly more than one-third of workers are actively trying to decrease the number of hours they spend sitting during the day at work and off-hours at home with simple changes in daily activities. For instance, blocking out time for a half hour or hour-long walk each day, in the morning, during a lunch break, or before heading to bed, is one of the easiest ways to avoid spending too much time in an idle position. Not only does walking increase an individual’s heart rate and blood flow, but it also has the potential to help one maintain or lose weight over time. Similarly, workers can be mindful of how long they are sitting by setting timers or alarms on their smartphones, computers, or watches every hour or two. Simply taking a lap around the office or standing up at a desk helps reduce the number of hours spent idle each day.

Reducing the health risks associated with leading a sedentary lifestyle does not require a drastic change in physical activity, but instead, takes a commitment to get up and move throughout the day. Workers can improve their overall mental and physical well-being by understanding the chronic medical conditions that can arise due to limited activity and following through with the steps for prevention mentioned above.