We’ve all heard about the dangers of sitting down at our desks all day, which include an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and even some cancers.
However, few companies are willing to splash out on those fancy standing desks for everyone (plus many of us really don’t like the thought of towering over our colleagues) – so what can be done?
Well, apparently those of us who are constantly winding up our deskmates by drumming our fingers or tapping our feet are in luck, because studies show that fidgeting can actually be beneficial to our health.
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Yep, researchers at the University of Leeds who looked at 12,000 women found that being a fidget could help counteract the increased mortality risk of being seated for ages.
Small movements during the day were found to be beneficial in the study which lasted over 12 years – during that period, women who sat for seven or more hours a day were 30% more likely to have died from any cause than those who sat for five or less hours, but only if they were low fidgeters.
Those in the middle and high fidgeting groups did not have an increased risk of dying, even if they sat for long periods.
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If that’s not a reason to start jiggling your feet right now, we don’t know what is. Just don’t expect the person sitting next to you to be so understanding...
(Images: Getty)
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