Doctor warns of 'silent killer' health mistake people make every day that is 'slowly killing them'

Given that the majority of us don't have the luxury of not working, especially with the cost-of-living crisis being the way it is, it appears we're making a big mistake at the office when it comes to our health.

Health professionals have shone the spotlight on those with a desk and chair job, and the dangers that come with it.

According to Workplace Insight, 81 percent of UK office workers 'spend between four and nine hours each day sitting at their desk'.

And experts at My Unbounded Life have revealed why they think 'sitting is the new smoking'.

The health warning could apply to the majority of office workers in the UK (Getty Stock Images)

Why sitting down for too long is the 'silent killer'

'Sitting has become the daily norm', the website states, as 'studies show that sitting for long periods is linked to life-threatening conditions'.

If you sit for too long, or rather, don't stand up often enough, it can increase your chances of 'heart disease, obesity, and even certain cancers'.

And Dr. James A. Levine, director of the Mayo Clinic-Arizona State University Obesity Solutions Initiative, has gone one step further.

Dr. Levine says that people can lose up to two hours of life for every hour they spend sitting.

As per the Tri-City Medical Center, he said: "Sitting is more dangerous than smoking, kills more people than HIV and is more treacherous than parachuting. We are sitting ourselves to death."

Hybrid working has become the norm, which leads to more sitting and less commuting (Getty Stock Images)

The problem with too much sitting

The San Diego Medical Center states that 'the human body is not designed for long periods of sitting'.

"Instead, it works best when it spends a significant portion of time throughout the day standing and walking," it said. "These activities keep the blood moving, aid digestion, and allow the body to metabolise nutrients.

"Sitting also puts strain on the neck and lower back, which are not designed to support the body in a sitting position for long periods."

They explain that the 'the body’s processes for breaking down fats and sugars properly are stalled' when we sit down for too long.

A lack of standing can also 'reduce quality of sleep', which means that the body doesn't get enough to time to 'repair itself'.

"Poor sleep may also perpetuate the cycle of sedentary behaviour – if you’re tired, you’ll probably feel less motivated to be active," it added.

"Research has shown that sedentary behaviour contributes to obesity and metabolic syndrome, which can increase a person’s blood pressure, blood sugar, body fat, and cholesterol levels."

Lack of standing can 'reduce quality of sleep' (Getty Stock Image)

Three simple ways to stand up more

• Try a treadmill or standing desk

• Build standing into your routine

• Remember to stand up at home

It's also beneficial to make sure to stand up every 30 minutes, stretch often and incorporate short walks into your routine.