It's possible that Bob Marley was not thinking about blood lipid levels when he urged us to Get Up, Stand Up, but new research from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm suggests that getting up and standing up many times during the workday is an excellent recipe for health.The researchers found that office workers who leave their desks and walk around the office frequently have healthier blood lipid levels, better blood glucose levels and less obesity than those who just sit there and surf the web.The Independent reports that the Swedish researchers recommend a five-minute break every 45 minutes. To encourage more and wider roaming, they suggest putting the printer in another room, walking across the office share information rather than sending e-mail, and taking frequent coffee breaks.The coffee break rule is unlikely to meet resistence.
Health, fitness and lifestyle tips for people over 50 who still like to play hard
Sunday, June 1, 2025
No surprise here. Even small amounts of exercise, especially those that cause contractions of large muscles like the legs and hips, have huge benefits. It’s not just about some calories being burned, but muscle contractions and gravity are the pump for the lymphatic system. The the people who live in “blue zones,” who are known for their longevity, exercise by working in the fields, fetching water, or chopping wood, in other words, work. Our exercises are modern day surrogates. Though some of us prefer hard exercise, gentle ones like tai chi, yoga, and walking can do the trick. Check out a book called “Move Yourself” which was written by two docs at the Cooper Medical Clinic. Small amounts of exercise go a long way when it comes to wellness.