Stand up while you read this

Prolonged periods of sitting is bad for your health. Too much sitting has been implicated in the risk for a number of serious medical conditions and a reduced life span, along with muscle and joint issues. According to the Mayo Clinic:

Research has linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns. They include obesity and a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and unhealthy cholesterol levels — that make up metabolic syndrome. Too much sitting overall and prolonged periods of sitting also seem to increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Exercising for a half hour, or even an hour, does not compensate for sitting too much. What to do, then? Stand more and move more - every little bit helps. Here are some ideas to get you started.

• Meet friends for a walk instead of a meal

• Stand up when you’re on the phone or having a snack

• Use a standing workstation for your computer

• Stand up and move around after 30 minutes of sitting

• Fold clothes or do stretches while watching TV