The effect of a sedentary lifestyle is harmful to your body. It will be a bad effect on your health. Breaking free from these habits requires a strong will, driven by the desire to be healthy. Since humans are habitual creatures, it is easier to continue doing something in their comfort zone than try something different. A sedentary lifestyle exposes individuals to numerous health risks, including obesity, heart disease, diabetics, and high blood pressure.
Nowadays, working and earning a living no longer requires the exertion of energy. Also, entertainment and fun activities used to be physical; however, people can now entertain themselves from the comfort of their homes. The evolution of the entertainment, commerce, and engineering industries has reduced human labor. All that is often required is an employee to monitor and adjust automated processes. These automated processes in our homes and workplace led to an increase in a sedentary lifestyle.
A sedentary lifestyle is a lifestyle with very little or no physical activity. In the United States and other parts of the world, people spend so much time on sedentary activities. From watching TV, working in the office, to playing video games. With the introduction of smart plugs and voice commands, many people no longer have a reason to get out of their couch or couch. Although it might feel comfortable and enjoyable to sit all day, be rest assured that there is a painful price to pay in the future. Below are the effects of a sedentary lifestyle:
Effect of a sedentary lifestyle
Weight Gain: lack of physical activities can cause your body to store unused calories, which are then converted to fat. These fat are stored under your skin, leading to an obvious increase in size. Being overweight comes with other health problems like high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease.
Loss of Flexibility: physical activities such as walking and running exercises your flexors, muscles, and joints. The absence of these activities can reduce blood flow to muscles leading to inflammation and pain. Also, you would begin to notice a reduction in your flexibility which starts with difficulty bending, lifting, and assuming certain positions.
Reduced Metabolism: when your body burns fewer calories over an extended period, it automatically slows your metabolism rate. The implication is that you lose the ability to break down fat, leading to an unexplained weight gain.
Osteoporosis: This is a condition where the human bone becomes brittle and weak. As humans, we are not wired to be sedentary. The body is supposed to be active so that the bones and muscles would bear the weight of your body to stay strong. The reverse is the case when you start sitting all day without engaging in any physical activities.
Depression, Dementia, and Anxiety: you might be wondering how being inactive can lead to these health conditions. Well, I am about to give you the answers you seek. The human mind is linked to the physical activities of the body. Therefore, a lack of physical exercises would give you more time to ponder on negative issues and reduce the feel-good endorphin hormones of the brain. But, unfortunately, this effect usually leaves the individual depressed and anxious.
A lack of physical activities among the elderly can lead to dementia. A health condition characterized by the loss of memory.
To avoid the above-listed health problems, you must get on your feet and move. Although society is structured to encourage a sedentary lifestyle, you must consistently stay active. For example, if your work environment encourages you to sit all day, you must develop some good habits to reduce the amount of time you spend sitting. Below are some of the practices you can imbibe or choose from:
- Take a walk when you are free or have nothing doing
- Boy court the elevator and use the stairs
- Stand up from your sitting position as much as you can
- Exercise during the weekends
- Reduce the time you spend on TV and video games
- Entertain yourself by visiting friends
Final Thoughts
A sedentary lifestyle is prevalent in the 21st century. It is the absence of physical activities in our daily routine. The advancement in technology and automation of processes have further encouraged this lifestyle. Nevertheless, this bad habit didn’t come without a price-It can lead to unpleasant health conditions.
To avoid the harmful effect of being inactive, you have to get moving. Take control of your health by exercising regularly regardless of the nature of your job.
