9 'Good' Habits That Are A Total Waste Of Time

3. Sitting Up Straight

You might attract the rancour of your gran, but slouching is the way to go at least when you're sat down.

According to research, in which volunteers sat in various positions in an MRI machine, sitting up straight puts unnecessary stress on your spinal column. In fact, the optimal way to sit is to recline at a leisurely 135°. It might look lazy, but this position significantly reduces the stress on the vertebrae, tendons and muscles.

Unfortunately, the position does tend to look a little lazy. Trying to convince your boss that you're giving that quarterly report your all whilst lolling around like a Roman is going to be a tough sell. You could always try a standing desk, as it turns out that sitting all day is pretty disastrous for your health (shocker, right?), no matter how reclined you are.