Maybe you’re reading this post sitting at your office, maybe you’re watching tv, or trying to relax in your comfortable chair at home while sitting in front of your computer.
It’s a fact: our modern way of life makes us less active. Moreover, it forces us to sit for 8 or more hours a day. That’s devastating for our health.
Spending a lot of time being sedentary leads to poor posture, chronic back pain, and increases the risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cancer.
Your chair is killing you. Here is why sitting for long periods of time is dangerous for your health.
Brain damage
Sitting for long periods of time means less fresh blood and oxygen circulating in the brain. Therefore, your brain works slowly, and you are unable to think clearly.
Organ damage
Sitting for too long damages your heart, pancreas and increases the risk of cancer. It also leads to obesity and diabetes because of the overproduction of insulin.
Muscle degeneration
When you sit for long periods of time, you don’t use the abdominal muscles; they become weak. This leads to swayback. Your back and hips become less flexible which leads to falls, especially among the elderly. Also, you can’t keep your body stable because your glutes get weakened.
Posture problems
While sitting in a front of the computer, staring at the screen, we hold our head and neck forward. This leads to a bad posture which harms the neck and shoulders. Also, sitting for long periods of time can lead to back pain as there is a more pressure on the spine.
Leg disorders
Sitting for long periods of time brings the problem with the circulation in your legs. This leads to varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis. Also, because of your inactivity, bones get weaker. This leads to osteoporosis.
What you need to remember is the following:
Your chair is killing you without any mercy.
If you must sit, sit up straight and don’t forget to stretch at least once every 30 minutes. Also, you can buy an exercise ball or practice yoga.
Make a pause. Get up! Get active as much as you can.
Sandy White is a creative writer with a vivid imagination. The power of curiosity leads her to explore people’s inner world which is portrayed in her articles.