A sedentary lifestyle has become the norm ever since the ‘new normal’ of work from home and restrictions imposed due to the pandemic. However, sitting in front of a desk or lounging around the house all day has been a constant part of our lives long before the pandemic.
This is what chronic sitting does to our bodies:
Over the years, sitting down too much has been referred to as “the new smoking” because it is worse for our health than we know, and can lead to long-term health problems like prediabetes, weight gain, and cardiovascular problems. Emerging studies have also associated sitting down for long periods of time with early death.
Sitting for long periods of time without consistent physical activity weakens leg muscles, which makes injuries from a fall or exercising a lot more likely.
Sitting for long periods can lead to varicose veins or spider veins which can lead to serious issues like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), i.e. blood clots in the veins of our legs. DVT can become a medical emergency that can be fatal.
How to undo the damage done by chronic inactivity and aka "sitting" constantly -
The British Medical Journal attempted to answer this question. You can read the study at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201125190741.htm
The study found that 30 to 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity every day greatly lowers the increased risk of death linked with sitting down for a long period of time.
This daily 30-minute minimum target can be met by climbing the stairs instead of taking the elevator, going on walks, or gardening.
Putting in some relatively intense activities - cycling, brisk walking, exercising – can reduce your chance of early death to what it would be if you weren't sitting around so much, to the point where this link can be seen in the data of thousands of people.
The results of this research are consistent with the latest WHO guidelines, which prescribe 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity each week to combat sedentary behaviour.
Consistent physical activity is the most important key to long-term good health. Staying healthy today will lead to a happier tomorrow with much lesser medical costs and a better quality of life.
To take the first step towards a healthier you, contact us on +91 932159167 to get your program under the guidance of Coach Juily Wagle today!
Our programs aim to help busy people stay healthy and fit scientifically and sustainably.
For more information, visit www.metabolix.in/programs.