Most people aren’t getting nearly enough movement throughout the day—and even those who exercise regularly may be overestimating their activity levels. Research shows that sitting for long periods can seriously harm health, regardless of how often you hit the gym. Physical activity and sedentary behavior are two different metrics, and both must be addressed.

Aging, mobility issues, and lifestyle habits can subtly lead to more sitting, increasing the risk of chronic disease. The good news? Even small interruptions to sedentary time can significantly improve long-term health.