B2 – Upper Intermediate
Sitting on an office chair for prolonged periods of time can definitely cause lower back pain or worsen an existing back problem. What else are the other effects?
Read the article below to know more about the consequences of sitting for too long.
http://breakingnewsenglish.com/1506/150609-sitting.html
Discussion Questions:
- What is your reaction to this, “A sedentary lifestyle may be taking up to two years off your life“?
- How long do you usually sit everyday? What do you notice are its effects on you/your body?
- How do you make your lifestyle less sedentary?
- What can you do to curb the amount of time you spend on the chair?
- What other things have effects on a person’s longevity?
6 replies on “Sitting May Be Dangerous For Your Health”
1. What is your reaction to this, “A sedentary lifestyle may be taking up to two years off your life“? It does not surprise me that a sedentary lifestyle can affect your life expectancy, but I did not know that it could be so much.
2. How long do you usually sit everyday? What do you notice are its effects on you/your body? I usually sit a lot, about 10 or more hours every day. My work is done sitting at a computer, and it is difficult to reduce the amount of time I spend sitting. Regarding the effects I notice in my body, I have back pain, and poor blood circulation in my legs.
3. How do you make your lifestyle less sedentary? When I am working, I usually try to stand up from time to time (when I remember to do it, anyway), and to stretch or do some exercises to move my body. Additionally, I go twice a week to Pilates to maintain my strength and flexibility.
4. What can you do to curb the amount of time you spend on the chair? I have been thinking about that several times and I think a way to reduce the time I spend on the chair is setting an alarm every hour to stand up and do some physical activity. I have also been thinking about getting a height-adjustable desktop and a walking pad to do some work while walking.
5. What other things have effects on a person’s longevity? Apart from sedentarism, genetics is also important to determine longevity, as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding tobacco, alcohol and ultra processed food. Exercise is important too, because it maintains the body in better form and can provide more resistance to diseases and physical degeneration.
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What is your reaction to this?
Concerned and scared about that. I spend long time sitting at work, and unfortunately I can’t developed it in other manner.
How long do you usually sit everyday? What do you notice are its effects on you/your body?
I work sitting 8 hours in front of a computer 5 days a week. I tried to take mini-breaks of 10 minutes each hours, but is not always possible. I noticed that is easier to gain weight as well as feel the body heavier.
How do you make your lifestyle less sedentary?
I try to do some activities after work and spend more time stand up and active the rest of the time.
What can you do to curb the amount of time you spend on the chair?
To be more conscious of the time I spend sitting and meet the 10 minutes active each hours.
What other things have effects on a person’s longevity?
I’m convinced the way a person eat can also affect longevity (To eat without time, unhealthy food, with lot of sugar and fat), as well as workaholic, the personal relationships, (humans need a balanced to spend time with others but also time alone), the place you life (the city center, the country side…), the bad habits (tobaco alcohol…),… .
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1. What is your reaction to this?
I am really concerned because I am sitting at the office for like 8 hours from Monday to Friday.
2. How long do you usually sit everyday? What do you notice are its effects on you/your body?
As mentioned, an average of 8 hours everyday. The effects on my body are: bad circulation mainly on my legs, liquid retention and back pain.
3. How do you make your lifestyle less sedentary?
I try to do some exercise, cardio and fitness, twice or three times per week. I use the stairs instead the elevator at home and along my underground trip from home to the office.
4. What can you do to curb the amount of time you spend on the chair?
I take some little breaks during the day: sharing a coffee with colleagues, going to the bathroom… However, reading the article, I am sure it is not enough.
5. What other things have effects on a person’s longevity?
Person´s longevity could be affected by bad habits like smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and food, for instance, eating too much red meat or no fruits, no vegetables…
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