Too Much Sitting Can Cause Health Problems
By Paul Rothbart
As society has become more technologically advanced, people tend to be less active. Many work sedentary jobs and entertainment is largely sitting and streaming TV shows and movies on various devices. Life today involves a lot of sitting. Sitting is a comfortable position that is necessary to perform some tasks and to rest the body. However, too much sitting can be harmful to one's health.
Risks of Too Much Sitting
When sitting, you expend little energy and burn few calories. This can contribute to obesity and high blood pressure. When body fat builds around the belly, it increases the risk of heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. It can also cause problems in the back and neck. Poor posture is common when sitting for long periods. People tend to slouch and that exacerbates harm to the spine.
With so many people working jobs that require sitting, usually at a desk or while driving a vehicle, long periods of sitting seem to be impossible to avoid. You have to make a living, but there are ways to counter the problem of too much sitting.
Reduce the Amount of Time You Sit
If you work at a computer, consider buying a standing desk. They can be moved up and down, so you can still work seated but spend parts of the day standing. When you take a break, don't just go sit in another chair. If the weather is nice you can take a walk outside. In bad weather, you can stroll around the corridors. Take a break from sitting every 30 minutes. Try using stairs instead of the elevator if you're not too high up. Have a meeting with colleagues while walking.
If you drive for a living, standing while working is not an option. But you can stop for frequent breaks to take short walks. Take longer breaks between driving assignments. At the end of the day, don't collapse into an easy chair. Try watching TV while standing.
See a Chiropractor
In addition to avoiding sitting whenever possible, chiropractic care can help avoid physical issues. Should your back or neck have subluxations or other issues, a chiropractor can find them and adjust them. This can help prevent the problems from becoming more serious and also reduce pain. Some people find that they feel more energetic and have greater mobility when seeing a chiropractor. This can be very helpful in getting you up and moving each day.
Standing seems to be becoming a lost art for many. Too much sitting is not good for your health. Take frequent breaks and move whenever you can. Consider a visit to The Joint Chiropractic. You don't need an appointment. You may find that seeing a chiropractor helps you stay active and avoid the excess sitting problem.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Nashville, Tenn.