Take a moment to recall when was the last time you engaged in physical activity. If you have a problem recalling this situation, it might indicate that you’re living a sedentary lifestyle which is characterized by a reluctance to move or exercise.
It is important to understand the factors that can contribute to this problem and all the potential health implications that might happen if you continuously live this kind of lifestyle. Are you someone who tends to avoid physical activity? If so, you should read this below now!
What is a Sedentary Lifestyle?
A sedentary lifestyle refers to a behavioral pattern that is characterized by a lack of physical activity or movement. Spending at least 6 hours per day in a seated position can indicate such a lifestyle. Not only that, according to the 10,000 Septs Australia Organization, individuals who walk fewer than 5000 steps daily are also classified as people who live a sedentary lifestyle.
This lifestyle needs to be changed immediately. You may not feel the implication of this sedentary lifestyle immediately, but the impact of being lazy will start to be felt years after you get used to doing the routine. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a sedentary lifestyle is one of the highest causes of death in the world. The death rate due to this lazy lifestyle is even more than the deaths caused by obesity. If a sedentary lifestyle is followed by an unbalanced diet and unhealthy habits such as smoking or consuming alcohol, you are at risk of experiencing more health problems in the future.
What Causes Sedentary Lifestyle?
A sedentary lifestyle is believed to be the result of a combination of many factors. Several factors can contribute to this trend, from traffic congestion, inadequate infrastructure such as pedestrian sidewalks, sports facilities, and recreational parks, and the rise in device usage.
For example, nowadays it is so very easy for us to order food and get it delivered to our house. You can just open your favorite food delivery apps and choose what kind of food you want to order. This diminishes the necessity for physical activities that were once essential to do if we want to obtain food or complete various tasks in the past.
What are the Health Impacts of a Sedentary Lifestyle?
1.Insulin Resistance
Spending most of the time sitting can increase the risk of insulin resistance, which is a condition when the body's cells no longer respond well to insulin. Your blood sugar will also continue to increase, which will make you more susceptible to diabetes type 2.
2.Decreased Brain Function
Engaging in physical activity can enhance blood flow, delivering oxygen-rich blood to the brain and aiding in the repair of damaged brain cells and tissues. On the other hand, without sufficient physical activity, brain function can decrease and the risk of senile dementia can increase.
3.Higher Risk of Stroke and Heart Attack
Being lazy can also increase the accumulation of fat around your arteries. If the arteries that carry blood to the brain are blocked, your chances of getting a stroke are much higher. And, if the blockage occurs around the heart it can increase the chance of you getting a sudden heart attack.
4.Higher Risk of Getting Osteoporosis
The human body has been designed to move actively. Thus, if you choose to lead a sedentary lifestyle it can eventually lead to muscle loss and decreased bone density, consequently heightening the risk of osteoporosis.
How to Get Rid of a Sedentary Lifestyle Habit?
You can mitigate the health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle by incorporating more physical activity into your daily routine. Here are some simple tips that you can do:
- Consider using a standing desk or a taller table to work, so you can work while standing. A regular work table will push you to sit for an extended period and this can be dangerous for your health.
- Take short walks around the office or your workspace while you try to brainstorm or seek inspiration.
- Opt to stand instead of sitting when using public transportation.
- If your place of destination is not that far away, you might want to opt to walk instead of using the vehicle.
- Dedicate an hour each day to exercise
- Opt to do household cleaning by yourself. For example, you can sweep and mop the floor daily, do vacuuming and mattress cleaning once every two days, and deep clean your whole house every month.
Do keep in mind that even, seemingly small changes in your lifestyle, can significantly impact your health. It’s never too late to start implementing this adjustment to avoid a sedentary lifestyle and increase your physical activity.
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