If you tend to slouch, you may be doing your body a disservice. Sitting hunched over can cause muscle fatigue, stretched ligaments and strained spinal disks — all of which can be painful. According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the major causes of back pain is poor posture. Sitting for long periods of time may also up the risk for high blood pressure, high blood sugar, obesity, heart disease and certain cancers. One study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that women who reported the highest amounts of time spent sitting had an increased risk of early death from all causes. So what can you do? Stand up! The Take a Stand Project of 2011 was linked to a 54 percent reduction in workers’ back pain.
