Think back to the last few days. How many hours have you spent sitting?
People with less sitting time tend to have a longer life and be happier.
It’s not only the time spent sitting that counts. Sitting for long periods of time, without interruption is especially harmful to your health.
Diseases Associated with Too Much Sitting
Excessive siting is linked to more than 30 chronic diseases , including:
- obesity
- high blood pressure
- chronic pain
- musculoskeletal disorders
- type 2 diabetes
- osteoporosis
- frailty
- fatigue
- Breast and Prostate Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- erectile dysfunction
- depression
- anxiety
- addiction
- dementia
Why prolonged sitting is so dangerous
Sitting for long periods is harmful to health in many ways.
It increases your chances of obesity and weight gain. Sitting down burns fewer calories than standing up or moving around. In addition, prolonged sitting may affect your appetite, making you more likely to overeat and snack.
Sitting too much can cause metabolic changes that lead to type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. You are also at higher risk of cardiovascular disease and high pressure.
Sitting for extended periods can lead to atrophy of muscles and a weakening in the bones. Your musculoskeletal systems can begin to degenerate when they are not used. It can cause poor posture, stiffness and pain.
For your nervous system to work properly, it also requires stimulating movement. If you are seated for too long, your blood may not flow as well, and this can affect the brain. You may feel tired. You may have problems with focus, concentration and cognitive function. In the long term, it may contribute to depression, anxiety and dementia.
Stand up and walk around more often
To solve the “sitting illness” problem, you should sit less and get up more .
Every hour, make an extra effort to get up and move around for a couple of minutes. Set a reminder on your computer or phone to remind you to stop.
Stretch or walk during commercial breaks while watching TV.
Do not just stand still. Do something active. You don’t have to do anything difficult. Even a few minutes’ light exercise can make a huge difference to your overall health.
This can improve your metabolic function, cognitive ability, and musculoskeletal well-being. This will also reduce your risk for chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetics, and heart disease.
This simple change will improve your mental and physical health over time. You’ll also notice an immediate improvement in your mood, energy, and general sense of well-being.
