Sitting too much may harm your health: Study
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in our daily routines and spend hours sitting down, whether it’s at work, watching TV, or scrolling through our phones. However, a new study has revealed that spending long hours sitting each day can have serious consequences for our health. In fact, research suggests that sitting for extended periods can increase our risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even early death.
The study, published in the journal Sedentary Behaviour, found that for every hour we spend sitting, our risk of death from any cause increases by 11%. This is a startling statistic, especially considering that many of us spend several hours a day sitting down. For example, a study by the American Heart Association found that the average American adult spends around 13 hours per day sitting, while a study by the UK’s Office for National Statistics found that adults in the UK spend around 9 hours and 30 minutes per day sitting.
But it’s not just the amount of time we spend sitting that’s a problem – it’s also the lack of movement and physical activity. The human body is designed to move, and when we’re sitting down for long periods, we’re not giving our bodies the opportunity to do what they’re meant to do. This can lead to a range of negative health effects, including:
- Increased risk of heart disease: When we’re sitting down, our hearts don’t have to work as hard to pump blood around our bodies. This can lead to a build-up of plaque in our arteries, which increases our risk of heart disease.
- Increased risk of diabetes: Sitting down for long periods can also increase our risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is because our bodies become less responsive to insulin, making it harder for glucose to enter our cells.
- Increased risk of early death: The study mentioned earlier found that sitting for extended periods can increase our risk of death from any cause. This is likely due to the fact that a sedentary lifestyle is linked to a range of negative health outcomes, including heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
So, what can we do to reduce our risk of these negative health outcomes? The good news is that it’s not necessary to give up our jobs or hobbies, but rather to make a few simple changes to our daily routines.
Take regular breaks
One of the simplest ways to reduce the negative effects of sitting is to take regular breaks and get up and move around. This can be as simple as standing up and stretching every hour, or taking a short walk during your lunch break. Even small amounts of movement can make a big difference.
A study published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise found that taking regular breaks and moving around can reduce our risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The study found that employees who took regular breaks and moved around during the day had lower blood sugar levels and lower blood pressure than those who didn’t.
Use a standing desk
Another way to reduce the negative effects of sitting is to use a standing desk. Standing desks allow you to work at a height that’s comfortable for your body, which can help to reduce back and neck pain.
A study published in the journal Ergonomics found that using a standing desk can reduce the negative effects of sitting on our health. The study found that employees who used standing desks had lower cholesterol levels and lower blood sugar levels than those who used traditional sitting desks.
Make time for exercise
Finally, it’s important to make time for regular exercise. Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce our risk of heart disease, diabetes, and early death. It can also help to improve our mood and reduce our stress levels.
The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. This can be broken down into shorter sessions of 30 minutes or more, or longer sessions of 60 minutes or more.
Conclusion
Sitting too much can have serious consequences for our health, increasing our risk of heart disease, diabetes, and early death. However, there are simple changes we can make to our daily routines to reduce these risks. By taking regular breaks, using a standing desk, and making time for exercise, we can improve our overall health and wellbeing.
It’s clear that sitting too much is a major public health concern, and it’s up to each of us to take responsibility for our own health. By making a few simple changes to our daily routines, we can reduce our risk of negative health outcomes and live healthier, happier lives.
Source: https://thepfc.club/blogs/news/how-too-much-sitting-can-harm-your-health
