Reducing the Harm of Sedentary Behavior with Relaxo

How Relaxo Records and Resets Your Sedentary Time

Relaxo uses data from your Apple Watch to calculate your current energy expenditure. When it drops to ≤1.5 METs, Relaxo starts counting your sedentary time. You’ll receive reminders to stand up and move when you’ve been inactive for around 60, 90, or 120 minutes (reminder times can be customized).

Once you begin activities such as walking, running, or cycling, and your energy expenditure exceeds 1.5 METs, Relaxo automatically starts counting active time. **As soon as any activity meets the reset condition, your sedentary timer resets immediately. ** Additionally, Relaxo provides a library of stretches and exercises for the shoulders, neck, back, and limbs etc.. Completing any of these exercises will also reset your sedentary timer.

How Relaxo Defines Sedentary Behavior

According to consensus from the World Health Organization (WHO), Canadian Science Publishing, the University of Queensland, and other leading institutions, sedentary behavior is defined as any waking activity done while sitting, reclining, or lying down with an energy expenditure of less than 1.5 METs. This covers everyday low-energy activities like watching TV, working at a desk, studying, or commuting.

Long periods of sitting can affect your health. Experts recommend standing up and moving for 2–3 minutes every 30 minutes to reduce muscle stiffness, improve circulation, and support metabolism. Over time, reducing sedentary time and adding more movement throughout the day is key to maintaining good health.

Based on studies from PubMed Central (2018), MDPI (2023), and other reputable sources, Relaxo categorizes sedentary behavior into 5 levels of posture intensity, as follows:

Note：

Sometimes your Apple Watch may miss detecting when you stand—for example, due to small wrist movements or sensor limitations. Relaxo recommends breaking up sedentary time by walking, stretching, or doing guided exercises. Why Doesn’t My Apple Watch Always Record Stand Minutes?


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References

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Patterson, R., McNamara, E., Tainio, M., de Sá, T. H., Smith, A. D., Sharp, S. J., Edwards, P., Woodcock, J., Brage, S., & Wijndaele, K. (2018). Sedentary behaviour and risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality, and incident type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and dose response meta-analysis [久坐行为与全因、心血管和癌症死亡率风险，以及2型糖尿病发病率：系统性回顾和剂量反应分析]. European Journal of Epidemiology, 33(9), 811–829. doi: 10.1007/s10654-018-0380-1.