In a highly technological world, many of our former reasons to move around have become virtually obsolete. Unfortunately for our overall health, this means we sit more. This increasingly sedentary lifestyle has a surprisingly high impact on our overall health. So before we all become like the humans in Pixar’s WALL-E, we need to get up and start moving again.
- It increases health concerns. Research says that sitting for long periods of time can increase obesity, blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol and risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease. That’s quite a worrisome list! This includes long hours sitting at a desk at work and driving for hours. Unfortunately, going to the gym/exercising for a few hours a week does not undo or offset the risks of long-time sitting.
- It goes against the body’s functions. Our bodies are meant to move if we want them to work efficiently and properly. Increased blood flow comes from movement (not just concentrated exercise) Simply moving around helps. Have you ever driven for a long time and realized your brain felt foggy? It comes from the lack of movement. Increased blood means more oxygen moving to the brain. Our body requires both to make neural connections and get stimulated. Even on a plane you’re encouraged to get up and move around every so often. Too much sitting can allow fatty acids to settle around the heart — hence increased blood pressure and heart disease. It can also lead to less spine flexibility/softened ab muscles (which both cause back problems), softer bones, bad leg circulation and an over productive pancreas, which causes increased insulin, often leading to diabetes and other diseases.
- What can you do? Quite simply, get up and move around. Stand while on the phone. Take that far-away parking spot. Take breaks if you have a sitting desk at work or see if you can get a standing desk (or even a treadmill desk). Take walks instead of sitting in a conference room for a meeting. Take breaks to get up and move around and stretch, especially your hip flexors and back. Use fun apps like Human to remind you to be active and move. And reconsider your off-work recreation: Instead of plunking down at the end of the day, take the dog for a walk (or just yourself) or spend 15 minutes cleaning around the house.
Small changes can make a big difference. In fact, now that you’ve finished reading this article, get up and move around a little just to get yourself started. Your body will thank you.
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