Standing is something a lot of us take for granted – but did you know that we use an estimated 300 muscles just to stay standing upright?

As well as the muscles in our legs working hard, our back, core and hip muscles are also working to stabilise us and help us maintain our balance.

This is why it’s so important to keep our muscles exercised. When we spend too long in a seated position some of our core muscles become weak – leading to a ‘hunched’ posture.

If you’re an office worker take the time to stand up and walk about – at least once an hour. Instead of spending your lunch break at your desk, try to get up and move about a bit. Going for a short walk will also increase productivity levels as exercise helps increase our blood circulation, delivering extra oxygen to our brain.

Another great way to keep yourself challenged when standing is to add in some simple balance exercises. Just standing on one leg for up to 45 seconds might be enough. (As we get older this time might decrease but it’s good to still practice your balance). Your body is constantly making tiny adjustments to keep you balanced.

This is all going to help to maintain our ability for as long as possible to do tasks (like standing up) that we might otherwise take for granted.

Zoe