The modern day human being has a stressful workload and spends most of the day sitting at workplace. The use of technology has brought things within our reach in no time but has also slowed down our rate of everyday movement. Prolonged sitting has both short term and long term consequences that you need to be aware about. Studies show that even if you work out daily, it cannot replace the damage of prolonged sitting. Here are the health implications associated with prolonged sitting:
1 . Obesity
Prolonged sitting, means that our muscles are not being used i.e. calories are not being utilized by the body. Sitting puts your metabolism to sleep. Studies show that an hour of daily exercise won’t counteract the negative health effects of sitting.
2 . Back And Neck Pain
Sitting at a stretch for hours and leaning forward to work at your computer can cause chronic neck and back pain.People who sit more are at greater risk for herniated lumbar disks.
3 . Muscle Problems
The muscles in our back remain active when we are mobile. Inactivity takes a toll on the muscles specially the erector spinal muscles. It is advisable to sit straight without hunching and use ergonomic chairs.
4 . Heart Diseases
Prolonged sitting has been linked to high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol, and people with the most sedentary time are more than twice as likely to have heart diseases.
5 . Leg Disorders
Hours of sitting can give you tremendous leg pains. This is mainly due to the buildup of fluid in the leg veins commonly known as venous congestion. Poor blood circulation can also cause swelling of ankles, varicose veins or thrombosis.
6 . Diabetes
The pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that carries glucose to cells for energy. But cells in idle muscles don’t respond as readily to insulin, so the pancreas produces more and more insulin, which can lead to diabetes and other diseases.
7 . Cancer Risk
Scientific studies have linked prolonged sitting with numerous health hazards including cardiovascular disease and cancer. It is not clear how prolonged sitting could increase risk of cancer, but it has been reported that sitting for long hours could be a factor.
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So, make sure that you take a 5-10 minute break after every hour that you spend sitting. Take a short walk around your office premises, take stairs as often as you can,walk when you make a phone call and park your car at the farthest parking slot.Do simple stretching exercises in your chair after every 2 hours. Adjust your chair for comfort, support, and movement. These small measures can go a long way in ensuring that you stay in optimal health. Stay Active, Stay Healthy!