Fight sitting disease with Joan Vernikos

Dr. Joan Vernikos is a well-known expert in stress and healthy aging, a former NASA researcher and administrator, and the author of the new book Designed to Move.

Dr. Vernikos explains that as our lives have become easier, we have been lulled into an abnormal existence of sitting, as our bodies are biologically designed to move. In the last five years, analyses from data show a relationship between sitting and a variety of health issues including cancer, stroke, diabetes, and obesity.

Here are several tips on how to increase your movement and add to your overall health:

1. Alignment and upright posture – A correct alignment spares your body. Don’t slouch when sitting.
2. Change in posture often – Interrupt sitting often and work to improve your balance.
3. Activities such as housework and gardening – These are activities with a purpose that will keep you moving and feeling accomplished.
4. On the go – Opt to walk, bike, or take public transportation to reduce sitting time.
5. At the office – Take the stairs and encourage standing up.
6. Play – Swinging and juggling are good for balance.
7. Stretching – Stretch at your desk and be sure to push your shoulders back.
8. Relax completely – Totally let go and free your mind.

Awareness is the key. You can structure your life to incorporate new habits in the course of your day. Stand up in meetings, get up to get a drink of water, or walk over to someone instead of sending an email. Focus on frequency and consistency.

Designed to Move gives a basis of understanding of what our bodies should be doing, and what we can do to get back to that level of health and enjoyment. To connect with Dr. Joan Vernikos, visit www.joanvernikos.com.

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