Sedentary Lifestyle Affects Your Health: Here’s How
With technology at our fingertips, most people can get almost anything done without getting up from their seats. Even our leisure time involves little physical activity- watching TV, playing video games, browsing the internet, etc. All of this contributes to us being physically inactive, and the health consequences of this are very serious.
In this post, we’re discussing some of the ways a sedentary lifestyle affects one’s overall health:
What Is a Sedentary Lifestyle?
A sedentary lifestyle is when an individual does not get much physical activity. It is often characterized by sitting or lying down for long periods.
Why Is There an Increase in Sedentary Lifestyle These Days?
Today, more people are living a sedentary lifestyle than ever before. Several reasons for this trend include:
- The rise of technology.
- The increase in sedentary jobs.
- The general decline in physical activity levels.
Technology has indeed made it easier for us all to be sedentary. With the advent of such devices as smartphones, tablets, and other handheld devices, people can now easily access entertainment and information without getting up and moving around. This has led to more people spending more time sitting down and less time being active.
Sedentary jobs are also on the rise. With the advancement of the internet and the globalization of the workforce, more and more people are working from home or in sedentary office jobs. This means they spend more time sitting down and less time being active.
How Can a Sedentary Lifestyle Affect Your Overall Health?
A sedentary lifestyle can have many serious effects on one’s health. It is linked to some chronic diseases:
Obesity
Obesity is a continuously growing concern in the United States and the rest of the world. More than one-third of adults in the country are obese. Obesity increases your risk for some health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
High Blood Pressure
It is a condition where the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries is too high. This can lead to many health problems like heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
Type 2 Diabetes
This is a chronic disease that happens your body does not use insulin properly. A sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Inactive people are more prone to having high blood sugar. High blood sugar can damage your nerves, blood vessels, and organs.
Osteoporosis
This condition causes the bones to weaken and get brittle. It’s a serious condition that ca lead to something serious like a fracture.
A sedentary lifestyle also makes one prone to osteoporosis. When you’re inactive, your bones can become weak and brittle. This puts you at greater risk for fractures.
Heart Problems
Heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States. What some do not know is that sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for heart disease.
When you’re inactive, your heart muscle can weaken, and your cholesterol levels can rise. This puts you at a significantly higher risk of developing heart disease.
Conclusion
As you can see, being inactive can lead to various health challenges that can be avoided by adding some physical activities to your daily routine. You can reduce your risk of these chronic diseases by being more active. You can start with at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as walking, every day. If you cannot do 30 minutes in one go in the beginning, you can break it up into smaller sessions throughout the day.
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