Want To Stop Sitting Too Much?

Want To Stop Sitting too Much? While life might seem chaotic as a busy mom, it can be surprisingly full of sitting. Sitting down at your desk job, sitting in school traffic, sitting at the kid’s soccer games, sitting down to help with homework, sitting to eat, watch TV, skimming Pinterest . . . the list goes on!

With new findings out linking prolonged sitting to early mortality, you might be on the hunt for clever ways to limit your daily sitting. If so, don’t miss these creative ideas to Stop Sitting Too Much:

At Work

Whether you telecommute from home or work 9 to 5 in an office, your day might often be spent sitting in front of a computer or in a ton of meetings. Don’t miss these helpful healthy tips for your work day:

Stand or bounce

think about investing in a standing desk at work which can rise up so you can stand to work, and then go back down when you need to sit. Another alternative to an office chair is a stability ball (exercise ball) which you can bounce or roll on, and engage more muscles with while you work. If neither is an option, focus instead on practicing better posture at work when you do have to sit. See the 11 Best Back Supports for Office Chairs.

Meet on the go

take your next conference call or team meeting on the go by walking laps around your office or the building instead of sitting and talking.

Drink more water

aim to drink a glass of water every hour and you’ll find you are getting up far more to use the restroom and get more water than before, keeping you out of your chair and on your feet.

Walk when you can

park farther from the office to get more steps in, walk to lunch instead of driving, and take the stairs instead of the elevator. The more steps you take, the less time you’re sitting.

At Home

Limiting sitting at home is a great goal to accomplish with your kids. Try these creative ideas for getting more steps in at home:

Do homework standing up

for assignments like memorizing spelling words, typing a paper, or even working on a math worksheet, stand up with your kid instead of sitting down. That might meet working at the kitchen counter, or simply piling a couple books up on the dining room table to fashion a homemade standing desk for a laptop.

Track your steps

invest in wearable fitness technology which will track important stats like calories burned, steps taken, and heart rate. Gadgets like Fitbit and Bellabeat can help make you more accountable to hitting your fitness goals for the day which inevitably equals more activity and less sitting.

Tackle pain

if you really want to be sitting less but nagging knee or foot pain is keeping you from staying on your feet, prioritize treatment instead of putting the doctor off another day. They might recommend simple remedies like bracing, wrapping, massage, stretching, and even topical aids which can help to relieve pain quickly. See the 11 Best Creams for Knee Pain.

Exercise during TV time

watching some of your favorite primetime family programming with the kids before bedtime? Turn commercial breaks into exercise stints, jumping off the couch to do jumping jacks, push-ups, or quick yoga poses for a few minutes before the show returns.

When your kids see you aiming to sit less and do more, you’ll instill a healthy habit for a lifetime. Choose more family activities that involve activity and fitness – visit a museum or sign the family up for a charity walkathon instead of going to see another movie. Setup hourly limits for screen time for the family (that means you too, Mom!) on weekends and holiday breaks, and sign up to volunteer together or offer to rake an elderly neighbor’s leaves . . . the ideas are endless!

Related Infographics to Stop Sitting Too Much: