Do you feel good about going to the gym a few times a week? Although that’s a great step, it’s not the only thing related to regular physical activity that greatly impacts your health.

Canadian researchers say that sitting for prolonged periods of time can be quite detrimental, even if you exercise regularly. The negative effects can include heart disease, cancer, diabetes and even death.

The findings were recently published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

After reviewing nearly 50 studies, the researchers noticed a link between sedentary behavior and undesirable health outcomes.

In fact, the World Health Organization estimates 3.2 million people die every year because they aren’t active enough.

In the study, sitting for at least eight hours a day was considered prolonged. That accounted for activities such as driving, working at your office desk and watching television.

Among the data, those who sat for prolonged periods of time were 90 percent more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. There were also ties to increased risk of breast, colon, ovarian and uterine cancer.

Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to increase your daily activity. Park your car farther away from the entrance. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Another study from University of Florida researchers recently showed that even minor activities like dusting make a difference in reducing heart disease risk.

For every hour you sit, stand up for a moment to stretch or walk around. Instead of a sit-down gathering, try holding a walking meeting. Dance whenever possible and practical.

If you haven’t already, give these tips a shot. They can lead to a healthier you in more ways than one.