How Sedentary Lifestyle Affects Health

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A sedentary lifestyle is a predominant lifestyle for many people today. We all know that a sedentary lifestyle is not good for our health, but many of us still stick to it and do not make changes. According to medical experts, a human body is not created for sitting. Movement is the most natural way for our body to express its energy. However, internet, television, cars and our modern way of life make us sit more than our ancestors did. Moreover, people who exercise three times a week can also lead a sedentary lifestyle if they spend the rest of a day of sitting. According to experts, it is not exercising that makes a difference. Walking, running, gardening, standing, etc., can help us move more and sit less during a day. People who are active in their lifestyle are less prone to various diseases such as heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes 2, and so on. Interestingly, there are a few studies that indicate that it might be important, what activities we are doing while we are sitting. The researchers are still preliminary, but they suggest that cognitive activities during our sitting time help us spend more calories and might be good for our health. It seems that only sedentary activities that are not productive like watching TV, surfing the Internet, or spending time on Facebook is harmful for our health condition. To learn more about how sedentary lifestyle affects our health, the article “Top 10 Risks” gives us the following list of the most common diseases caused by physical inactivity.

1. Cardiovascular Health (Heart Disease, Vascular Function, Circulation & Blood Pressure)

2. Cancer

3. Diabetes (Type 2)

4. Weight Gain

5. Metabolic Syndrome

6. Mental Health

7. Back/Neck Pain

8. Muscle Degeneration

9. Osteoporosis

10. Mortality

Experts also point to psychic benefits that more active lifestyle can have on our health. According to experts, less active lifestyle leads to anxiety, depression, and stress, while activity helps us burn more energy, release tension and feel better. When our body moves freely and frequently, all its functions work effectively. To prevent sedentary lifestyle from affecting us in a bad way, the more we move, the better we get. Or, as Einstein once said: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”