Stop! Before Digging Deeper, go take a quick walk, get moving a bit and then come back! I promise you will feel better and perhaps even learn more!

Welcome back! Are you sitting to read this? Soon you may decide change your mind. Is there a link between increase mortality and time spent sitting? Read: Is sitting down bad for my health? Find out more here. Increased moderate to vigorous activity may actually help you live for a longer time! What should be encouraged? A healthy weight, a moving lifestyle and less sitting! Is a sedentary lifestyle really connected with an increased risk of poor health? Learn about the Effect of physical inactivity on major diseases! This article helps you discover which major diseases may be linked to just sitting around all day. Keep reading and find out how sitting too much can change one’s life expectancy. Interested in increasing or improving your lung capacity? STAND UP! If you do have to sit at work, read and find out which sitting posture is best.

You’ve been sitting awhile, struggling over some math problems. Your legs automatically move, your calf muscles compress. Why? This article on the skeletal muscle pump will explain. Here’s even more reasons to keep those calf muscles strong and in shape. Sit up in that chair, and don’t slump! Ever contemplate why your elders always told you this? Breathe deep and find out by reading about the respiratory pump and its importance.

Is there a link between lack of movement coronary heart disease, diabetes, and stroke recovery? Read about the study of postmen versus double-decker bus drivers and find out how their jobs may have affected their health. Diabetes is also affected by immobility. Read how here and here! Finally, stroke victims return faster to walking if they get mobile earlier. Learn why by reading this article summary.

The human body is designed for movement, and our skeleton includes 360 joints. More than 250 of those joints are able to move in more than one direction. This unique structure gives the human body the ability to perform a wide variety of movements. However, some of our joints are immobile and are instead structured to protect important organs, such as the brain.

Are you thinking about your lifestyle and what you spend your day doing? How can the school environment be changed to reflect what was learned in this lesson? What could you do to initiate changes in your school? Remember, changes can occur! Present good data about this topic and see what can result! Make your voice heard. Work in an office? What changes can you make to your environment to improve your own health and that of your co-workers? How about “standing desks?” Need evidence? Read: Sit More, And You’re More Likely to Be Disabled After Age 60. Need ideas to help you make changes? Read: Sitting Is The Smoking of Our Generation then listen to NPR’s: Stand Up, Walk Around, Even Just For 20 Minutes.