TED Talk Tuesday #185: Why sitting down destroys you

Watching TED Talks is a popular pastime at CN&CO. We visit TED.com regularly to clear our heads, have a laugh or get inspired. TED Talks open our minds, spark new ways of thinking and can lead to some very interesting conversations. Each week we pick a favourite and publish it on a Tuesday, because we like how “TED Talk Tuesday” sounds. It’s also a way that the CN&CO team play their part on spreading ideas and helping to make the world a better place. This week’s talk is recommended by Gianluca Tucci…

Stand up & give your butt a rest!

Have you ever thought about how much downtime many of us give to our legs? All those hours in the day spent behind a desk, followed by a good nights rest, certainly adds up.

Sitting is comfortable, but its limiting.

Prioritise your spine

Over the last couple of months, I have been trying to make more of an effort on improving my posture, flexibility and time spent sitting-in-front-of-my-mac.

Not only do these habits bring you immense health benefits from a well-being perspective, but importantly, from a productivity one too.

Two avenues which have helped me immensely are Michelle Stocchi and DeskStand South Africa;

1. Michelle is a South African cross-fit athlete and my trainer. I thought I had maintained a good gym regime over the last years until I did one of Mich’s sessions. Flat on the floor, sweating out of every pore, and extinguished after day 1. It’s gruelling but so rewarding. What’s struck me most about Mich’s sessions is his constant focus on warm up and stretching. Every beginning and session ends with it. We apply careful attention to these activities. It’s a game-winner and your body, when recovering, thanks you.
2. The second avenue was courtesy of DeskStand, a business specialising in office furniture and accessories with an alternate approach. Recommended by fellow CN&CO’er, Josh Nuttall, I bought and set up one of their JUMBO desk-stands at home. It’s new WFH buddy and what a pleasure it is. Not only does it look good, but is so convenient and together with the anti-fatigue floor mat offers you an alternate way to work, on your legs. And believe me, its great. They don’t compliment thinking on your feet for nothing!

Our health and body’s well-being is fundamental to us. Our bodies need to be respected and utilised to their full potential.

I’m sure you are thinking what inspired me to share this? It was a TED talk by Roger Frampton (fitness expert and model).

Roger’s insight…

Roger shares a fascinating old Chinese Proverb in his talk that says,

“You are as old as your spine.”

Food for thought, indeed. An integral component of our body. Why Roger shares this relates to the act of sitting. He says, as humans, we are just not designed for it, when referring to sitting.

He shares some good thoughts and don’t be shy to experience his posture exercise at the end.