Come on, guys. We’ve all been fooled. Do you remember when you were young and your parents were telling you off for being too hyper? “Sit still!” they yelled. “Be good!”.

Well, it turns out that sitting is actually a slow-motion highway to hell.

Wow.

That’s right.

Sitting is the new smoking.

But instead of lung cancer, you have a question-mark-shaped back, legs that no longer know how to function, and a back that makes you feel like 87 when you need to get up. It feels like your body is punishing you for even considering relaxing.

Why sitting is bad for your spine

Your back is designed for movement. It’s got all these lovely little pieces stacked up like a Jenga tower. But what do we do? We sit on them for six hours solid, squishing them flat like a dodgy sandwich. And then we wonder why our backs hurt. Oh, maybe it’s because we’ve been sitting in one place pretending to be working (some of us).

Long-term sitting weakens your core muscles, squishes your discs, and overworks your lower back. That will ultimately mean chronic pain, stiffness. Your abused spine is crying out for help, but you’re ignoring it to see one more episode on Netflix.

No sitting please

Here’s an idea: move.

Just a little bit. Go and take a break. Get up every 30–60 minutes and walk around.

You don’t have to pay for a gym membership to fight back from the chair. Little things like rolling your shoulders, stretching your neck keep your spine happy. If you work at a desk all day, try using a stand-up desk or alternating between sitting and standing at your desk throughout the day.

Yoga: because your body deserves an apology

Yes, a little yoga also can do wonders. Downward dog? Great for stretching out your back. Cat-cow? Helps loosen that spine you’ve been torturing all day. A few deep breaths and some stretching might just be the difference between feeling like a human and feeling like a deflated balloon.

Stretching and moving lightly increase circulation, keep your muscles from becoming inactive, and prevent stiffness.

Want to do something else?

Consider incorporating yoga or Pilates into your daily routine. Even five minutes of stretching can undo some of the damage caused by sitting for so long.

In conclusion: move or twist yourself into a pretzel

Listen, I am not requiring you to turn yourself into a professional fitness expert. But if you do not move, your body is going to start conspiring against you. So get up, stretch, move your legs a bit.

Right now.

Yes, you.

Get up, do a quick stretch, take a walk, or even dance around for a minute. Your spine will thank you, your future self will thank you, and you might just feel a little more alive.

Because if sitting is the new smoking, then moving is your best escape plan.