Sitting for too long each day and being too sedentary can be harmful to your health. Continue reading to find out about the dangers of too much sitting, the causes of these risks, and how you can reduce the time you spend sitting.
Health Risks Sitting for long periods of time increases your risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The tightening of your hip flexors and hamstring muscles can also cause joint pain. As you sit for longer periods, your muscles and joints will become tighter. This tightness makes it difficult to maintain your balance and walk properly. It can also make you more likely to slip. Falls can lead to serious injuries such as hip fractures or breaks, particularly in elderly people. Hip flexors, hamstrings, and lower back pain can be caused by tightness.
Health risks and their causes
Even experts are not sure why prolonged sitting can lead to various health problems. Sitting for too long can cause your muscles to relax. Relaxed muscles consume less blood glucose and increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetics.
Reduce sitting
People should not sit for more than 8 hours per day. No matter how sedentary your lifestyle is, there are simple ways to incorporate more standing and moving into your daily routine.
Set a clock to remind you to stretch after prolonged periods of sitting. Even if it is only a short walk to the bathroom, or to get a drink, you can stand up to move around. You can get two things done by walking down the hall to get something to drink or going to the kitchen.
Buy an adjustable standing desk to allow you the option of standing or sitting at your desk as you work on your computer. Standing up while on the phone is another option.
After a long, stressful day, everyone loves to sink into the couch and relax while watching TV. It is suggested that you alternate between sitting on the couch and on a stability-ball. To maintain your balance, you must use different muscles when sitting on a stability-ball.
