The Brain at Rest: Understanding the Effects of Prolonged Sitting on Productivity

Becca Froh, Get Productive
Wellspring Publication
4 min readJun 26, 2024

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Photo by the author

Are you sitting down? Probably! According to a recent Harvard study, Americans sit for an average of 10.4 hours per day. If you factor in 7.7 hours of sleep, you’re sitting or lying down for 75% of your life! 3/4 of every day is spent in a sedentary state. Big yikes!

While sitting may seem harmless, research suggests that prolonged sitting has a lasting negative impact on our overall well-being. This includes both brain function and productivity.

Let’s explore how the brain functions while sitting for long periods of time and delve into the idea that productivity thrives on change.

Your Brain on Sedentary Behavior

Your brain is a complex machine that requires nutrients and blood flow for optimal functionality. Too much sitting can lead to reduced oxygen and blood flow to the brain, which can negatively affect your brain health.

Sedentary behavior is associated with cognitive decline, decreased attention span, and impaired memory, YIKES. When we sit for extended periods, our brains have more difficulty focusing, solving problems, and being creative.

Impact on Your Productivity

Productivity is not equal to busyness, it’s a measure of how effectively we…

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Becca Froh, Get Productive
Wellspring Publication

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