In a day of not such great news for office workers (it is Monday, after all), we've received news that sitting down for periods of six hours or more can have serious health consequences.
A new study by Loughborough University - famed for sport and health sciences - has determined that even those who exercise daily can put themselves at risk of heart disease, strokes and diabetes, if they spend around six hours a day sitting at a desk.
The study was conducted using health monitors, tasked with assessing the vital statistics of people carrying out different sorts of activities. While the health data gathered was plentiful during exercise, it also showed that we have very few ways of quantifying the negative impacts of sedentary periods.
Dale Esliger, of Loughborough's centre for sport and exercise, said: 'We are not designed to sit down for long periods but that is how we are living now and it has big impacts on our bodies.'
And, rather horrifyingly, our habits are only getting worse.
Esliger continued: 'We are getting more food delivered to save cooking, films are sent electronically and many people have even stopped travelling to offices because they work at home.'
The good news is that there are ways to address this ever increasing problem.
At the very least, making sure you get up from your desk for a little stroll around the office every half an hour could go some way to easing the pressure of a sedentary lifestyle. Equally, drinking more herbal tea will ensure you stretch your legs on your way to the kitchen for some hot water.
ELLE's Yoga poses for office workers will ease some of the tension in your limbs, counteracting the effects of your office chair, plus making sure you never eat lunch at your desk if is always a good idea for general wellbeing.
