Sitting to Death

An American Cancer Society study has recently found that sitting is a risk factor for death. Yes, that's right--sitting. The 14 year study found that people who spend at least 6 hours of their leisure time sitting die sooner than their counterparts who sit less than 3 hours. Sitting increased the risk of cancer death, but the main risk was cardiovascular disease.

I'm afraid I may die of sitting. Cardiovascular disease runs rampant in my family and most of them are hard-working immigrant descendants whom you would not catch dead (no pun intended) sitting around. If their hearts give out and they aren't sitting, can you imagine the risk for me if I sit? I'm on my feet 8-10 hours a day running from patient to patient at the cancer clinic where I work so when I get home, I sit! As my dear readers are aware, I don't watch much TV. But I do read, quilt, work on various kinds of needlework, write, play piano, and monitor Facebook. All of those activities require sitting and those are the hobbies I enjoy. I do jump up frequently to put clothes in the washer/dryer, check on supper, let the pets in and out, and various other chores. So maybe it doesn't count if it's not continuous sitting. Otherwise I run the very real risk of having a grave stone that reads, "Here lies Pam Brewer. She sat to death." And my obituary will start with, "Pam Brewer lost her courageous battle with sitting." Oh well, I know I have to die of something, and sitting isn't all that bad. When I'm in "my chair" I feel close to heaven, so it'll be a short trip. Just prop me up in my favorite chair and bury me. Oh, that's right, I want to be cremated. In that case, burn me with my favorite chair.

I hope there's sitting in heaven.