It’s the most comfortable position among any other positions we have besides sleeping; but just because ts convenient and/or comfortable doesn’t mean its always good for you.
These days it’s called the siting disease, let’s take a look at at the negative impact of sitting.
The Negative Impact of Sitting
>It is bad for your metabolism
Sitting down for long periods of time slows down your metabolism. Slow metabolism means low energy, weight gain, and all the effects that come with weight gain from obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, depression and the cascade of health ills
>Because you are inactive you stand the risk of cardiovascular disease,
according to cardiologist Martha Grogan: “For people who sit most of the day, their risk of heart attack is about the same as smoking.”
>Blood Clots
Blood clots are thick masses that form to stop the flow of blood when you get cut or injured.
This is inherently a good thing, but sometimes clots can form in the veins for reasons other than injury. non-injury clots can form from smoking, pregnancy, and prolonged sitting.
>Herniated Disc
Discs are the soft tissues that separate the vertebrae in your spine. A herniated disc refers to when that soft tissue
pushed out from between the vertebrae, thus pinching the nerve and causing a lot of pain.
According to the Washington Post, our tummy muscles are there to help take some of the strain off our backs by helping to support us, and if we sit for too long those muscles are not activated, which makes the spine work extra hard and can cause a herniated disc.
>Degradation
As mentioned before, when you stand or sit up tall, you engage your core muscles.
If you sit slouched down in your chair all day you can lose strength in those muscles and your abdomen can develop a soft or mushy appearance as a result.
Lots of people would prefer a more toned tummy, but the bigger danger is that you lose muscle strength, which makes you more vulnerable to other accidents.
>Dementia
Contrary to popular belief, dementia is not actually a disease. Rather, it’s a term used to describe the loss of memory and reasoning skills.
Dementia can be caused by many things, including Alzheimer’s disease, but it can also be caused by vascular diseases, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
There is a correlation between being sedentary and the development of blood-flow problems. Sluggish blood flow can eventually impact your brain health.
Ideas to Sit Less and Move More
Standing more increases your energy, burns more calories, tones muscles, improves your posture and increases blood flow.
- Stand up while you are on the phone. Better yet, pace!
- Walk more around your house.
- Take the stairs.
- Hold a walking meeting.
- Walk after you eat lunch.
- Park your car farther away from your destination. Don’t look for that perfect spot up close.
- Take the long route!
- Dance when you can!
- Get vigorous about your daily cleaning and cooking.
- Work your calves when you brush your teeth!
- Stand up and stretch when you’re at your computer a lot.
- Don’t send emails if the recipient is in walking distance. Get up, walk and talk.
- Stand up or do exercises while watching TV.
- Consider a standing workstation.
- Fidget!
- Refill your water glass every hour.