Sedentary Lifestyle: Health Risks & How to Avoid them.

Sedentary Lifestyle: Health Risks & How to Avoid them.

 Most of us are not aware of how dangerous our life can be in the long term with the limited amount of motion or activity. Sitting at the office in front of a desk for long hours, while reaching home taking a rest, and relaxing on a couch might be our routine. Upon doing this what we are missing is, we are not exercising our body, which is actually killing us. Not only office going people have such a bad lifestyle, but also sedentary people who sit or lie down for long periods.  

What is a sedentary lifestyle and how does sitting kill us?

Sedentary means sitting or not physically active. Researches have shown that people with a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to suffer from health problems like

·        Insomnia

·        Muscle shrinkage

·        Obesity

·        Anxiety

·        High blood pressure

·        Cardiovascular disease

·        Diabetes

·        Various Cancers

·        Negative effects on mental health

·        Depression

·         Memory loss

How can we incorporate activity into our daily routine even when we have a busy schedule?

·        Take a morning walk before going to the office.

·        Take a walk during break time.

·        Spend more time doing household chores.

·        Engage yourself in gardening.

·        Use stairs instead of elevators.

·        Do simple exercises while watching  TV.

·        Do activities like jogging, cycling, swimming.

·        Small workouts in leisure time.

·        Add 15 - 30 minute walk in your daily routine.

How does exercise affect our body?

Regular physical activity changes your body's physic, muscle, mind, and heart. Exercising means taking a magical pill for your brain. It actually changes the brain's anatomy, physiology, and function. It increases the blood supply through your body system, thus increasing the blood circulation, which results in the delivery of more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, strengthening them and making the heartbeat stronger, and hard breathing makes the lungs stronger. It also decreases the risk of heart and lung diseases. Sitting whole day builds up proteins called troponins in the body, which are actually released by the heart muscles. Researches show that most people who have a sedentary lifestyle are likely to die of heart attacks.

Exercise has brain-changing effects:

·        It helps in reducing the effects of diabetes, asthma, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Depression, and Dementia.

·        Reduces risk of cancer

·        No of brain cells increases, thus increasing the size of the brain.

·        Levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin elevate the mood right after the exercise or work out.

·        Lowers blood pressure

·        Increases bone density.

·        Strengthens bones and muscles.

·        Improves joint mobility.

·        Reduces body fat.

·        Boosts immune system.

·        Detoxifies the body.

·        The ability to shift and focus attention level increases, which can last for two hours.

·        Long term memory increases.

·        One becomes fast and catchy.

·        Sense of well being.

·        Energy levels increase.

·        Improves  complexion

·        More motivated, confident, and greater control over your life.

·        Less depressed.

·        Improves sleep quality.

·        Life expectancy increases.

 While exercising or stretching definitely helps, physiotherapy also provides a wide variety of activities, actions, and techniques that can help the body to maintain muscle strength, cardiopulmonary fitness, and mobility, thus delaying the various health risks caused by a sedentary lifestyle.

This Blog was first posted on CB Physiotherapy