Is Sitting Too Long Making You Age Faster? (Small Habits, Big Difference #5)

Small Habits…Big Difference! Habit #5

How long have you been sitting right now?

Go ahead, think about it. Ten minutes? An hour? Since breakfast? 😂

I've been reading The Eternal Norse by Astrid and Erik Halvorsen, and I'm sharing some of the everyday habits that might be worth changing as we get older.

Last time, we talked about turning down the hot water when you wash your face.

Well…here's Habit #5.

Sitting for more than an hour without moving may be working against you!

Most of us don't think twice about sitting.

We sit to eat. We sit to drive. We sit at the computer, in front of the television, in the recliner after supper.

But here's what's going on while we're sitting there.

When you sit for a long time, blood stops moving well through your legs.

Muscles switch off.

Joints stiffen.

Ever stood up after a long movie or a long drive and needed a minute to get everything working again? That's what I'm talking about!

Studies show that sitting too long actually shortens the parts of your DNA that protect your cells, speeding up how fast you age.

Scientists call those protective parts telomeres. I think of them like the little plastic tips on the ends of your shoelaces. They keep the ends from fraying.

And I don't know about you, but I'd like to keep my shoelaces in good shape for a while yet!

When I retired, I told myself I did not want to sit and watch television all day waiting to die. Turns out that was better advice than I knew. 😂

Here's the habit, and it's a simple one.

Get up and move for two minutes every hour.

That's it. Two minutes. You don't need a gym membership or fancy workout clothes.

Here are a few easy ways to do it:

Walk to the mailbox. Walk down the hall. Walk out to check on the garden.

Anywhere is fine. Just get those legs moving.

Stand up, reach for the ceiling, roll your shoulders, and give your back a gentle twist.

Your joints will thank you.

This one is easy to remember. Every time the phone rings, stand up. Pace a little while you talk.

If you spend a lot of time at the computer, an adjustable desk lets you work standing up for part of the day.

A little tip: set a timer on your phone or watch for every hour. It's easy to lose track of time when you're busy.

A word of caution. If you have a health condition, trouble with balance, or your doctor has given you limits on activity, follow their advice.

Farming kept you moving.

Even the days spent on a tractor seat had you climbing down to open a gate, check a nozzle, or fill a tank.

And anybody who has farmed knows what happens to equipment that sits too long.

Seals dry out. Parts seize up. Things that worked fine last season don't want to turn over.

The best thing for a machine is to use it.

Our bodies aren't all that different.

Small habits…big difference!

At my age, I'm not trying to run a marathon or win any races.

I just want to stay active, stay healthy, enjoy my family, spend time with my grandson, travel, and keep learning new things for as long as the good Lord allows.

That's one reason I've become interested in health and wellness and why I'm involved with Zilara, a company offering wellness products in forms such as liquids, powders, tinctures, and teas.

I'm not looking for miracles or overnight transformations.

I'm interested in learning about practical ways to support our health as we get older…and sharing what I discover.

If you're curious about Zilara, you can explore it through a free 72-hour tour:

https://zilaratour.com/bill

No pressure. Just take a look and decide for yourself. (I earn a commission if you join through my link; your price doesn't change.)

Today, pay attention to how long you sit.

When an hour goes by, get up.

Walk, stretch, or stand for two minutes.

Then do it again the next hour.

One little change.

One little habit.

And who knows? Maybe your knees will thank you!

Now, I have a question for you…

👉 How long do you usually sit before you get up and move?

Leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, keep learning, keep taking care of yourself, and…

Just keep moving forward!

Bill Feaver

Small Habits…Big Difference! A series about simple changes that may help us live healthier, more active lives as we age.