How Sitting Can Ruin Your Health
By Genevieve Cunningham
We are a sitting society. As in -- we literally sit almost all day long. It's not at all unusual for us to sit during our commute, sit at the office, and sit in front of the TV at night. It's a perk of modern living. But this perk is actually detrimental to our health. Sitting has been dubbed the new smoking. It's really dangerous when we do it too much. Though we can't always avoid sitting, we can certainly do our best to counteract the potential dangers. If you are guilty of sitting more often than not, take a look at what you can do to keep your health in check.
The Dangers of Sitting
Many people wonder: Why is sitting so dangerous? While occasional sitting isn't a threat and is obviously necessary, excessive sitting can bring a wide variety of problems. The most obvious danger to health is due to the lack of activity. Refusing to move your body can lead to weight gain, muscle deterioration, and a decline in general well-being. More specifically, excessive sitting can lead to an increased risk of blood clots and heart disease. The more that you sit, the higher the risk. Considering so much of our time requires a sitting position, these risks become very real very quickly.
How to Balance Your Health
Luckily, there are ways to balance out the effects of sitting. The first and most effective option is to sit less often. This might mean getting a standing desk at work, adding an exercise routine into your day, and avoiding plopping on the couch at the day's end. But you can also do incredibly simple things such as taking small breaks that include movement, stretching while you watch TV, and eating the healthiest diet possible to avoid weight gain. Changing your habits is never easy, but when it comes to your health and wellness, it's always worth it.
Sitting is something that we have to do. We can't stand up forever! But it's something that we need to do in moderation. We have to sit mindfully and ensure that we're getting plenty of movement and exercise. Work to balance your life using these tips, and you may be able to improve your health and lower the risks of excessive sitting from here on out.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Arlington, Tex.