Most of us are not aware, how dangerous it can be for our body in the long term with limited movement & activity. Sitting at the office in front of a desk for long hours, then reaching home struggling for rest and relaxing on a couch might be our routine. While doing this, what we are missing is not exercising our body, which is actually killing us. Not only do office-going people have such a bad lifestyle, but also sedentary people who sit or lie down for long periods.
Health Risk with sedentary life
Sedentary refers to a life style that is not very physically active or sitting a lot. Research has shown that people with a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to suffer from health problems like:
- Sleep Disturbances
- Muscle shrinkage
- Obesity
- Anxiety
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Cancers
- Mental health issues
- Depression
Effects of Exercise
- Strengthens bones and muscles.
- Improves joint mobility
- Increases bone density.
- Reduces body fat.
- Boosts immune system
- Lowers blood pressure
- Reduces risk of cancer
- Improves brain function ( memory, attention ,mood)
- Improves sense of well-being
- Energy levels increase.
- Improves sleep quality
- Prevention of life style disorders ( diabetes, heart diseases, depression)
- Life expectancy increases
How can we incorporate activity into our daily routine even when we have a busy schedule?
- Make a routine to walk for atleast 30 minutes a day.
- Take short walk at regular intervals while working on a desk.
- Engage in some form of physical activity (household chores, gardening).
- Use stairs instead of elevators.
- Do simple exercises while watching TV.
- Do activities like jogging, cycling, and swimming.
Regular physical activity changes your body’s physique, mind and heart functioning. It is like a magical pill for the healthy brain in a healthy body. Physical therapy provides a wide variety of activities and techniques that help to maintain mobility, muscle strength, cardiopulmonary fitness, thus delaying the various health risks caused by a sedentary lifestyle.
Naveen
BPT, MPT (Cardiopulmonary)
Assistant Professor
College of Physiotherapy
MAMC, Agroha
