Wellness Events for the Week of March 21, 2011

Good afternoon! Below is a list of free/low-cost health & wellness events, for this week of March 21, 2011. Each city links to the specific details of each event.

Cincinnati, OH – This upcoming Wednesday, 3/23, Christ Hospital will offer a seminar-support group for heart failure; as well as educational seminars on arthritis and colorectal cancer. All events are FREE, but be sure to call and RSVP to ensure your spot.

Detroit, MI – Free Support Groups for Alcholism, overeating; A free class on how to naturally beat heartburn and other digestive problems.

Macomb, IL (Western Illinois U) – When detected early, the survival rate for colorectal cancer is 90%. You can get a free test kit here, between 3/1-4/15, M-F, 8:00-4:30. Free analyses can be conducted in the privacy of your own home; 3/23 – Free blood pressure screenings.

Poughkeepsie, NY – Meditation and breathing techniques – click for details, classes and admission fees (if any) vary.

Jackson, MS – Check link for specifics; some classes/events are recurring. Free: cancer rehab classes, art therapy for cancer patients; educational seminar for families who have a member who suffers from a mental illness.

Pennsylvania (All) – See last week’s entry. Check the link regularly, as many of the events listed on last week’s post are recurring.

That’s it for now, and we’ll be sure to keep you updated as we research. For health tips, news, and other wellness events like these, follow us on Twitter @HealthSurvival. Have a great week!

The Dangers of Inactivity

The health dangers associated with prolonged periods of inactivity have long been known to the medical community and the general public. Parking yourself in front of the television and avoiding exercise, the common wisdom goes, can lead to weight gain and deteriorated health.

However, a new study from the University of Queensland, Australia, brings to light more details regarding the dangers of sitting. According to the study, prolonged periods of sitting — even among those who exercise regularly — lead to a bigger waistline and increased levels of blood fats.

This data comes on the heels of a University College London study  that found that the risk of heart disease doubled among those who spent more than four hours a day on the computer. Furthermore, the risk of a cardiovascular event increased 125 percent for people who spent at least two hours in front of a television or computer screen after work.

What’s shocking about these findings is that regular exercise alone isn’t enough to combat several hours’ worth of sitting — something millions of Americans do everyday at their desk jobs. Genevieve Healy, the lead author of the Queensland study, suggests that regular exercise mixed with frequent breaks during the workday to stand or walk around is the most effective way to offset the negative effects of sitting.

For many of us, spending over four hours a day in front of a computer is unavoidable. Based on these findings, what do you plan to do to offset the negative effects of sitting? Let us know in the comments!