Man asleep at work. Photo: cell105 / Flickr

In my post last week, I talked about whether it's safe to travel now.  As a bit of a follow-up, I'll talk about when it's dangerous to sit still for too long: always.

Have you ever been stuck in class or at the office and felt like you were dying inside?  It might not just be your mind playing tricks on you.  The New York Times had an alarming article titled, Is sitting a lethal activity? This quote by a doctor summed it up nicely:

"Go into cubeland in a tightly controlled corporate environment and you immediately sense that there is a malaise about being tied behind a computer screen seated all day," he said. "The soul of the nation is sapped, and now it's time for the soul of the nation to rise."

Whether you've traveled or not, many of us can relate to that dread of being at a desk job.  The computer monitor attacks your eyes, the fluorescent lights can harm your skin, and fat builds up in your body from your lack of movement.  That doesn't even cover stress, which is a leading cause of a whole host of physical and mental problems.

On the flip side, travel is much more active.  You're walking to sights, you're flexing brain muscles by navigating a new place, you're carrying your backpack, etc.  You're 100% engaged, physically and mentally.  When I was traveling, I gained a trim figure without seemingly exercising.  But I actually was working out, by doing the day-to-day tasks of being on the road.

Have you ever come back from a trip in better shape than when you left?  Please share your thoughts in the comments.