Sedentary lifestyles are widely prevalent today and have been linked to various adverse health consequences, such as heart disease and obesity. A sedentary lifestyle involves little or no physical activity, aside from normal daily tasks. It is typically characterized by extended periods spent sitting in front of a computer or TV screen at work, at home, or while commuting. This article describes the seven main dangers associated with sedentary lifestyles.
You May Have Trouble Sleeping
While sleeping, the body and mind get time to relax and rest from the stress and strain of everyday life. The lack of movement can have an adverse effect on sleep. It can reduce the quality and lower its quantity by several hours per night.
You May Experience Stress
The trouble with sleep can also lead to stress and anxiety. If you cannot sleep properly, then your body will be unable to renew its energy supplies. This would make you feel tired throughout the day, which would affect your work performance and your relationships with other individuals.
You May Lack of Energy
A sedentary lifestyle can also deplete your energy levels. People who do not move much end up feeling lethargic throughout their day, affecting their work performance. A sedentary lifestyle will also lead to nutritional deficiencies, which will further take a toll on your health.
You May Increase Your Risk of Cancer
A sedentary lifestyle also increases your risk of cancer because it is associated with poor diets, reduced physical activity, and obesity, increasing your risk of developing cancer.
You May Experience Depression
Inactivity can lead to depression, anxiety, and stress, which are all leading causes of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
You May Get Blood Clots
Sedentary lifestyles increase your risks of blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) when you sit for long periods without moving around to get the blood flowing again. Both blood clots and DVT could cause serious health problems if left untreated.
You May Get Back Pain
A sedentary lifestyle can lead to back pain and muscle aches, cramps, and strains because sitting still causes muscles to tighten and shorten, which can put extra pressure on joints causing.
The health benefits of being active and exercising cannot be overemphasized, but having too much of a good thing can be equally detrimental. Even if exercise is recommended, there are downsides to becoming so active that one could have a sedentary lifestyle. These are the dangers you need to watch out for. You may even consider consulting with a back and spine specialist to alleviate your back pain.
How to Fix a Sedentary Lifestyle
Though not very common today, standing desks or treadmill desks are becoming increasingly popular as they don’t only prevent cardiovascular problems but also combat obesity and other health-related issues. Standing desks or treadmills have been shown to impact the employee’s overall health positively, and studies have suggested favorable outcomes in lowered blood pressure and even a decreased risk of death. These workstations may be ideal for someone looking for ways to stay active during the day.
The benefits of physical activity are numerous. Regular exercise helps to improve endurance and body composition. It regulates metabolism and blood pressure. It reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes, helps to prevent certain forms of cancer, and, as a result, helps to improve mental health too. Despite all these benefits, there are still many people who don’t engage in physical activity regularly. Around 30% of the population in developed countries has a sedentary lifestyle.
In addition to physical activity, adequate and healthy nutrition is also essential for keeping your body in good shape. Some foods can help you prevent various diseases linked with a sedentary lifestyle or even make you stronger if you do regular physical activities (e.g., bananas).
The Bottom Line
The consequences of having a sedentary lifestyle are severe. It increases your risk for various health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and colon cancer. Moreover, it can cause premature death because it can lead to obesity (which in itself can lead to other health conditions), high blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Furthermore, being sedentary can cause depression which may also impact your overall health status.
A sedentary lifestyle is the cause of many diseases that people suffer from in the modern age. Most people’s daily routines involve sitting for a very long time at work and in front of a television screen at home. This has profound health implications in the long term.
