Study after study have shown that exercise is one of the best things we can do to boost our physical and mental health. After all, our ancestors were hunter gatherers who walked miles on a daily basis. Now, however, office jobs and Netflix make it less conducive to get the exercise that we know we need.
But all is not lost, according to a new study. In particular, the researchers say that we can reverse the effects of being sedentary by adding back physical activity. Specifically, they recommend a ratio of 8:1 - that is, for every 8 hours of sedentary sitting, we should engage in 1 hour of exercise. This ratio isn't just made up from thin air; it came from studying nearly 1 million adults, showing that this level of activity dramatically reduced risks from heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers.
It's no magic pill, for certain - we still have to get up and move! But it gives hope for the 9 to 5 crowd tied to their desks. And at the very least, the study gives us a way to mitigate the guilt after hours of binge-watching Netflix!
