Being sedentary is widespread in society for many, and most of us are guilty of avoiding exercise. Our lifestyles and work lives lean into move lethargic routines. In this article, we look at the health benefits of adding some movement into your life and explain how you might reduce the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
What is a sedentary lifestyle?
It is a slower lifestyle involving more sitting and limited physical activity. Naturally, as mechanisation has occurred and jobs have become more admin-based and less physical, we have become less active.
Wikipedia sums this up:
[“A sedentary lifestyle is a lifestyle type in which one is physically inactive and does little or no physical movement and/or exercise.[1] A person living a sedentary lifestyle is often sitting or lying down while engaged in an activity like socializing, watching TV, playing video games, reading or using a mobile phone or computer for much of the day. A sedentary lifestyle contributes to poor health quality, diseases as well as many preventable causes of death.”]
Why is it important to make sure that you remain active?
There are several critical reasons to stay active, and the following are some of the most important.
- Controls weight.
- Combats health conditions and diseases.
- Improves your mood.
- Boosts energy.
- Promotes better sleep.
- It can stimulate your sex life.
- It can be fun — and social!
One of the most troublesome diseases caused by sedentary is understood to be coronary artery disease.
Genetics
While some argue that genetics and family history play a more significant role in coronary artery disease risks, a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk factors for those without a genetic propensity, and it could have an increased adverse impact on you!
Diet
Diet and stress may have a more or equally significant impact on coronary artery disease but would also be compounded by high levels of inactivity. Fatty foods and little physical activity mean that the saturates and other modern food byproducts settle in the arteries and other parts of the body, like organs. High-sugar foods fail to contribute to the repair of tissue, meaning that the body’s building blocks, already impaired by lack of activity, are then unable to maintain healthy levels, choking the body.
Age
There is also an argument that people living longer cause an increase in the statistics of sedentary diseases. While this is true, there is also an increase in diseases that affect younger people, which proves that a move to inactivity is harming our populations. The knock-on is increased demand for hospitals.
Other associated issues from inactivity
Here is a list of diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle: obesity, Heart diseases, including coronary artery disease and heart attack, High blood pressure, High cholesterol, Stroke, Metabolic syndrome, and Type 2 diabetes, and Certain cancers, including colon, breast, and uterine cancers. So, while you could be predisposed to them, it will likely reduce the chances of one of them taking hold.
What can you do to avoid the negative impacts of being sedentary?
Of course be more active, by doing this you are increasing the amount your heart is working and how blood and hormones are moving around your body activating your muscles.
Why hormones matter.
Hormones are known to stimulate energy and body signal exchanges, which improve functions and make activities more efficient. They respond to activity and direct energy and other important nutrients to key muscles and organs.
Four ways to be more active:
Walk—It seems obvious to most, but just getting out for a walk can have incredible benefits. Raising heart rate and muscle condition will make your body more efficient.
Exercise—Use a commercial or home gym to build muscles and improve health. Don’t forget Cardiao, though! Start with a set of Mirafit 10kg Dumbbells; they could lead to a better, healthier you. Remember that it all has to start somewhere, and a set of dumbbells can be the answer to improving your health and avoiding the associated problems of an inactive lifestyle.
Workplace – A standing desk may also help you with circulation and health. As sitting is one of the worst contributors of disease and health risks caused by being sedentary. If you cannot access a standing desk, consider lunchtime walks to increase circulation and muscle tone.
At home, Do things to increase your movements. If you need to cut the lawn, think of ways to challenge yourself. Use the toilet upstairs to get your steps in. Wash the car and scrub the patio. By expending energy, you will soon feel the benefits of exercise.
Exercise examples
Choose exercises that increase your heart rate, such as cardio, this can help mitigate the health risks of a sedentary lifestyle. Squats and strength exercises, like this can also help. Essentially any activity that will raise your blood pressure and force blood around the body to your extremities.
Can someone gradually transition from a sedentary lifestyle to a more active one?
Yes, it is possible, and do this in phases. Start by walking and then increase the activity slowly before you start to fast-walk and eventually jog, perhaps eventually moving on to running.
Summary
By explaining the meaning of a sedentary lifestyle, we have challenged you to consider your own routines. We have explained the negative impact of lethargy and then introduced four ways you could work to improve your activity and stave off the effects of time and some inherent diseases like coronary heart disease and other equally scary options.
We hope that, although not exhaustive, this list opens the eyes of just one person and improves their life and the lives of their family. If you decide to make a change and are looking for some gym equipment, then Mirafit can help – The team has a range of expert fitness blogs designed for all levels showcasing fitness to help get the most out of you exercise.
