Do we really sit that much?
On an average day, 26% of the Dutch population aged 15 and older sits for more than 8.5 hours¹. Did you know that with this number of sitting hours, we Dutch are European champions of sitting? On average, we spend more hours sitting than anyone else in Europe. This is a title we should not be proud of. Prolonged sitting poses significant risks to our health. But, here's the good news: together we can reverse this trend.
The impact of prolonged sitting on our health
Prolonged sitting has a creeping impact on our health, an effect that is often underestimated. Research by the Health Council shows that prolonged sitting increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. For example, people who sit more than 8 hours a day and do little exercise are 74% more likely to have cardiovascular disease compared to people who sit less than 4 hours a day and are very active. In addition, prolonged sitting increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, depression and even certain cancers.
By consciously choosing to increase exercise in our daily lives, we can significantly reduce these health risks. Whether it's a walk at lunch, standing in meetings or biking to work; these are all simple but effective ways to counteract the negative effects of sitting for long periods of time.
Practical tips to reduce your sitting time
Want to tackle sitting too much? Good news! There are many ways to bring more movement into your day. Set a timer that reminds you every hour to get up, get coffee or tea and take a short walk. Trade in your desk for a standing desk or organize walking meetings. Why not talk on the phone while you walk? Replacing the elevator with the stairs is another easy way to stay active.
How can movement strengthen your resilience?
Exercise is not only good for your body, but also for your mind. When you exercise, fresh energy flows through your body and mind. It also causes you to produce happiness hormones that make you feel good, handle more in life and thus have more resilience.
Every step and action you take contributes to your resilience. It helps you reduce stress, think more creatively and improve your overall well-being. So, get up from your chair, stretch and in doing so, take the first step toward a more resilient version of yourself.
Standing up together against prolonged sitting
The time is now to collectively stand up to the culture of prolonged sitting. At Team Heartbeats, we are aware that physical activity is crucial to our resilience and overall health. We are responsible for changing our daily habits and living a more active life. It is not about drastic changes, but small, conscious steps we can take every day. Let's motivate and encourage each other to get up, move more often and together create a more resilient, healthier and happier Netherlands. The journey to change begins with making that first step.
¹https://www.tno.nl/nl/newsroom/2024/02/nederland-europees-kampioen-zitten/
