A sedentary lifestyle may seem harmless, but it can have serious health implications over time. In fact, sitting for more than three hours per day has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
What is a sedentary lifestyle? 🪑
A sedentary lifestyle is a lifestyle in which one sits for most of the day. This can result in excessive weight gain, high blood pressure, and chronic diseases.
Physical therapy can help you learn how to move more and incorporate exercises into your daily routine to combat the negative effects associated with sitting too much.
What causes health issues in this lifestyle? 🤒
Exercise has an important role in our lives to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system, range of motion, and overall healthy well-being.
A lack of physical activity has been shown to cause the body to release high levels of cortisol, the stress hormone that may cause weight gain.
Why is this becoming more prominent? 📈
Research has shown that in recent years the number of people with sedentary lifestyles is on the rise. This may be due to societal changes, such as increased time spent watching TV or playing video games.
The change in how we work has a huge role to play as well, with more people working from home there has been a huge shift towards a sedentary lifestyle.
What are some solutions to this problem? ✅
Solutions to sedentary lifestyles can be found through societal changes, creating a culture that values health and wellness. It is also important to implement programs that encourage participation in physical activity.
We can all take precautions to ensure we are prioritizing our health with exercise routines and frequent breaks from sitting and lounging. Adopting a more active lifestyle with hobbies that can aid you in your physical health can have a positive impact. Daily walks, gym routines, outdoor activities can all help aid in a more healthy lifestyle.
How can Physical Therapy Help? 👩⚕️
Physical therapy can help individuals who are suffering from the negative health effects of a sedentary lifestyle. By educating and demonstrating effective exercises and lifestyle choices we can help improve, over time a better life for our clients.
What are some preventative steps I can take? ✍
There are a few things that you can do to help maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid the negative health consequences of a sedentary lifestyle.
One easy way is to spend less time in front of screens, and other media that require sitting and lounging. If you must work at a screen, take frequent breaks or invest in a standing desk. Making time for regular exercise and stretching can create healthy habits that can prevent injury and health issues later on. Think of activities that you would find fun but are also associated with being active. Such as signing up for a sports league, going for hikes, or taking swimming lessons.
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