The Detrimental Effects of Too Much Sitting

Sitting for long periods is a near-daily occurrence for millions of people in modern society due to office jobs and other lifestyle circumstances. Sadly, this situation does not feed into your hopes of promoting good health. On the contrary, it can encourage the onset of several negative outcomes.

Now is the time to stand up and take action.

Why Is Too Much Sitting Bad For Your Health?

There’s nothing inherently wrong with sitting down. However, the bad habits of sitting in the car for an hour followed by eight hours at your desk and then a few hours on the sofa before bed can be very problematic. In fact, it has been linked to a host of different health complaints, including but not limited to:

Obesity is a major problem facing modern society, and overeating is only a small part of the issue. A lack of exercise, largely caused by sedentary work routines and home lives, is the main cause. You won’t be burning off calories, and your metabolic rate will slow as well. On a separate note, you’re likely to make poor food choices while seated in front of the TV or computer.

It is statistically shown that people who sit for long periods are over twice as likely to become diabetic due to increased blood sugar levels. Diabetes can also worsen obesity problems, creating a very vicious cycle.

For most people, sitting at a desk is combined with leaning forward and hunched over to write or type. The extra strain on your neck and back can severely damage your posture. While you may not notice the problems in the immediate future, it can make your retirement years very uncomfortable because it will be harder to reverse the damage later down the line.

Studies have indicated that people who sit for long periods can be up to 150% more likely to suffer a heart attack than active individuals. Meanwhile, a spike in cardiovascular risks is also widely reported amongst sedentary people.

Sitting for long periods makes the blood pool in the legs which can lead to varicose veins and spider veins. In some cases, this will result in blood clotting. It should also be noted that deep vein thrombosis becomes more likely when you sit for long periods on a regular basis. It is possible that this issue can even lead to death.

What Can Be Done?

The harsh reality of life is that you might not be in a position to change career or make wholesale lifestyle alterations. Nevertheless, there are several things you can do to combat the dangers of sitting for long periods.

Some of the best options include:

• Taking regular breaks from your desk to stretch the legs
• Completing exercise at your desk
• Trading your evening TV watching for a family walk
• Swapping the car journey to work for cycling
• Switch to a standing desk

By making a conscious effort to change your ways, sitting needn’t take control of your life. To discover more, you can always contact our agents for further advice and information.