Why Sitting Too Long Is Bad for your Health

Is Sitting Bad for You? 

Sitting for longer hours can negatively impact your health. Recent studies have shown that Americans are spending an alarming amount of time sitting down each day, with the average individual adding an additional hour to their sedentary lifestyles in recent years.

Why Mobility is Important

Strength and mobility are essential components of overall fitness because they play an integral role in developing the capacity to perform physical activities safely. With strong muscles, tendons, and ligaments, individuals can lift heavier weights without putting excess strain on their joints. Mobility allows for full range of motion across multiple joints and ensures the body can move without stiffness.

As we grow older, maintaining a healthy level of strength and mobility becomes even more important. Strength helps us maintain our independence, while mobility aids us in carrying out everyday activities such as walking, bending down to pick up objects or getting in and out of chairs/beds. Studies have shown that mobility programs for senior citizens have resulted in reduced incidence of age-related ailments.

Serious Impacts of Sitting for Long Periods

Sitting all day can have serious impacts on your health. This silent killer is slowly affecting our lifestyle. It is time for all of us to start moving and taking appropriate breaks in between our log sitting hours as if our lives depend on it.

Medical research has identified numerous dangers associated with sitting for long periods of time. Studies have shown that people who spend a large portion of their day sitting down, such as office workers, are more likely to experience negative health effects than those who move around regularly. Such risks include an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and some forms of cancer.

Additionally, sitting all day can contribute to mental health issues such as depression or anxiety due to the lack of physical activity in one’s life. Therefore, it is important to get up often throughout the day and move around to stay healthy and prevent any potential damage done due to prolonged sitting periods.

Prolonged Sitting Can Cause Muscle Atrophy

Before we move on to find ways to be more active, we need to understand the term ‘Atrophy’. Atrophy is a very serious condition that should not be taken lightly. It occurs when cells and tissues undergo a decrease in size over an extended period due to the lack of proper nutrition or use.

In medical terms, atrophy can be physiological or pathological. Physiological atrophy is a natural process that occurs with age, while pathological atrophy is caused by an underlying medical condition or disease. In either case, the body part affected may become smaller and weaker as time progresses.

Common causes of muscular atrophy include disuse, nutritional deficiencies, certain diseases, nerve compression or damage, and certain medications. Treatment for muscle atrophy may involve physical therapy, dietary changes, and medications. In severe cases, surgery or other treatments may be necessary. It is important to seek medical attention if you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of muscle atrophy. Early diagnosis and treatment of atrophy can help reduce the severity of symptoms and improve outcomes.

Quick Tips to Reduce Sitting Time:

Taking frequent breaks to stand, stretch, and take a short walk around the office can help reduce the potential harm of sitting for long hours. An ergonomically correct chair  can also help make sure that your body is properly supported while you are sitting. Here are some other quick tips to help you be active:

1. Stand for conversations instead of sitting
2. Set a timer to remind you to stand and stretch every hour
3. Take the stairs instead of the elevator when possible
4. Place your computer screen at eye level
5. Park farther away from buildings when going out so you must walk more
6. Get up during commercial breaks while watching TV or movies
7. Take frequent walks throughout the day, even if it’s just for 5 minutes
8. Invest in an adjustable standing desk that can be used both sitting and standing
9. Try activities such as yoga or Pilates which emphasize movement over static poses
10. Use a fitness tracker to measure how much time you’re moving each day

 

If you plan on bringing major changes to your lifestyle, don’t hesitate to consult with medical professionals to make sure you’re taking the right steps.