How Walking for Five Minutes Every Hour Makes You Healthier

Did you know that one in four American adults sits for up to eight hours per day? This sedentary behavior is shown to cause long-term health problems, such as increased risk of cardiovascular disease. But you can undermine much of this risk by walking for five minutes every hour of your workday.

When is it time to take a walk? If you notice restlessness in your legs, it’s a good indication that it’s time to do a lap around the building or climb a flight of stairs. Your body is designed to move, and restlessness is its signal to get going. What does all that sitting do to your body?

Sitting all day increases your chances of a heart condition by up to 12%

According to one recent study, every hour spent sitting equals a 12% increase in your risk of cardiovascular disease; “Higher amounts of sedentary time and longer sedentary bouts were directly associated with cardiovascular disease.”

Too much sitting weakens your legs and pelvic muscles, leading to chronic pain

When you sit all day, your hip flexors tighten and cause lower back pain. Too much sitting weakens your glutes, hamstrings, and pelvis — causing joint misalignment and chronic pain. The solution? Move more! Consider using a standing desk, climbing the stairs, walking two laps around the building, and getting up every hour for five to ten minutes.

Make walking a habit to “undo” the effects of sitting

Research shows that 30 to 40 minutes of moderate activity per day can “undo” the effects of ten hours of sitting. By adding five to ten minutes of walking to your hourly routine, you can easily build up to 30-plus minutes of moderate activity per day. Is half an hour worth it to lower your risk of chronic pain, early death, and other health problems? Of course, it is!

Your health is our concern. We encourage you to get your five minutes of walking per hour and reduce the effects of sitting.