The article aims on providing relevant information about wellhealthorganic.com:health-hazards-of-prolonged-sitting. We will also cover some facts and figures to support our content.
At the end of the article, we will also give you a solution to wellhealthorganic.com:health-hazards-of-prolonged-sitting as well.
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In the modern era of technology, where people spend most of their time sitting in front of computers, and televisions or simply relaxing in chairs, the issue of prolonged sitting has become a major concern.
A sedentary lifestyle has been linked to several health problems including obesity, heart disease, back pain, and even an increased risk of death. In this article, we will examine the risks of prolonged sitting and what you can do to reduce them.
What is Prolonged Sitting?
Prolonged sitting is a condition where an individual spends an extended period of time in a sitting position. This could be due to work, leisure activities, or simply a lack of physical activity.
It is a common occurrence in many countries where people spend several hours a day sitting in front of a computer or television.
The following are the hazards of prolonged sitting.
Obesity: wellhealthorganic.com:health-hazards-of-prolonged-sitting
One of the most significant risks of prolonged sitting is obesity.
People who spend long hours sitting are more likely to gain weight and have a higher body mass index (BMI) than those who engage in regular physical activity.
The reason for this is that when we sit for long periods, our muscles are not working, and we are not burning as many calories as we would be if we were standing or moving around.
Heart Disease: wellhealthorganic.com:health-hazards-of-prolonged-sitting
A webmd Health News study found that sitting for 8 or more hours per day was associated with an approximately 20% increased risk of developing heart disease or dying from any cause during the study period, compared to those who sat for half that amount of time.
Long-term sitters were also 49% more likely to have heart failure.
Prolonged sitting has also been linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
When we sit for long periods, the blood in our legs does not circulate properly, which can cause blood clots and increase the risk of heart disease.
Additionally, sitting for long periods can increase the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood, leading to a higher risk of heart disease.
Back Pain: wellhealthorganic.com:health-hazards-of-prolonged-sitting
Another significant risk of prolonged sitting is back pain. Sitting for long periods can put a lot of pressure on the lower back, causing it to become stiff and sore.
This can lead to chronic back pain, which can affect an individual’s quality of life and cause them to miss work.
Poor Blood Circulation: wellhealthorganic.com:health-hazards-of-prolonged-sitting
National Library of Medicine research concluded that prolonged sitting and poor blood circulation are interlinked.
Prolonged sitting can also lead to poor circulation, which can cause swelling, fatigue, and a general feeling of discomfort.
This is because when we sit for long periods, the blood in our legs is not circulating properly, which can cause fluid to accumulate in the legs.
Increased Risk of Death: wellhealthorganic.com:health-hazards-of-prolonged-sitting
According to the Mayo Clinic, 13 studies on sitting duration and activity levels were examined by the researchers.
They discovered that people who sat for more than eight hours a day with no physical exercise had the same chance of dying as those who were obese or smoked.
Prolonged sitting has also been linked to an increased risk of death. A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that people who spend more than six hours a day sitting have a significantly higher risk of death than those who spend less time sitting.
The reason for this is that sitting for long periods can lead to a host of health problems, including obesity, heart disease, and back pain, which can ultimately lead to an increased risk of death.
More Health Hazards of prolonged sitting
In addition, we have more potential health hazards that are not mentioned in wellhealthorganic.com:health-hazards-of-prolonged-sitting.
These are also very dangerous for a person.
Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Prolonged sitting can also increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. When you sit for extended periods, your body burns fewer calories, and your glucose metabolism slows down.
Over time, this can lead to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, which is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition.
Increased Risk of Cancer
Prolonged sitting can also increase the risk of cancer.
According to research, cancer survivors who did not exercise and sat most of the day were more likely to die from cancer or another cause than those who sat less and were more active. The findings were published in the journal JAMA Oncology in March 2022.
The Mental Risks of Prolonged Sitting
Wellhealthorganic.com:health-hazards-of-prolonged-sitting does not account for the mental issues but we are.
Mental health is equally if not more important than physical health and here are some of its hazards.
According to MI Blues Perspectives, Sedentary lifestyles have long been associated to anxiety and depression symptoms.
All that sitting can have an effect on your mental health as well, as some research suggests that minimizing sedentary activity may lower glycemic variability and protect against cognitive decline.
Decreased Concentration and Productivity
Prolonged sitting can also have a negative impact on your mental well-being.
Sitting for long periods of time can lead to decreased concentration and productivity, as your brain becomes fatigued and your motivation decreases.
Increased Risk of Depression and Anxiety
Prolonged sitting can also increase the risk of depression and anxiety. When you sit for extended periods, your body produces less serotonin and dopamine, which are two important neurotransmitters that help regulate mood and mental well-being.
Decreased Motivation and Energy Levels
Prolonged sitting can also decrease motivation and energy levels. When you sit for long periods of time, your body burns fewer calories, and your metabolism slows down, which can lead to decreased motivation and energy levels.
Reducing the Risks: wellhealthorganic.com:health-hazards-of-prolonged-sitting
Do you believe you move enough to keep health issues at bay? Is it just 30 minutes of exercise followed by extensive durations of sitting the rest of the day?
Then you should think about it again.
A group of Finnish academics recently invented the phrase “active couch potatoes” to describe people who exercise every day and then relax the rest of the day.
This implies that sitting for extended periods of time effectively negates any benefits gained during your training session.
Research: wellhealthorganic.com:health-hazards-of-prolonged-sitting
The study, which was published in the journal “Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise,” comprised almost 3,700 men and women from Finland who were requested to wear scientific-grade activity trackers for at least one week to analyze their movements during the day.
Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the risks of prolonged sitting. Here are some tips to help you lead a healthier, more active lifestyle:
It discovered that persons who exercised for 30 minutes per day but then sat for 10 to 12 hours per day had greater levels of blood sugar, cholesterol, and body fat than those who moved more. These were the active couch potatoes in the research.
People who got up and walked about a little more were thought to be healthier than active couch potatoes.
Exercising for 30 minutes a day is insufficient.
A half-hour fitness session “may not be enough” to restore the negative consequences of extended sitting, according to Vahid Farahi, postdoctoral scientist at the University of Oulu and principal author of the current study.
“We’ve just recently realized that physical activity isn’t the complete picture,” says Raija Korpeläinen, professor of health exercise at the Finland’s University of Oulu and co-author of the new study. the study, according to The Washington Post.
Which category do you belong to?
At the end of the trial, the researchers divided the participants into four groups based on how much they moved during the day.
There were 1,173 “active couch potatoes,” 1,199 “sedentary light movers,” 694 “sedentary exercisers,” and 636 “movers” among the participants.
Both active couch potatoes and sedentary light movers exercised for 30 minutes each day and sat the rest of the time. The Sedentary Light movers, on the other hand, were 40% more active.
Sedentary exercisers sat for greater lengths of time yet exercised for an hour each day.
Movers, on the other hand, exercised not only for an hour but also for an extra two hours throughout their everyday duties.
When the researchers compared all of these groups, they discovered that the active couch potatoes had the worst blood sugar management, body fat percentage, and cholesterol levels.
How can you lower your risk?
In addition to exercising, move gently, whether it’s a brief stroll, a quick walk, or simply cleaning your house. Take the stairs and wander the corridors.
The research recommends 80-90 minutes of gentle activity each day, but “any more movement should be good,” Farahi says.
The simple line is that you should walk more and sit less. It is now up to you to figure out how to get there. Avoid straining yourself by moving your body as much as possible.
Get Up and Move Around Regularly
One of the easiest ways to reduce the risks of prolonged sitting is to get up and move around regularly. This could involve taking short breaks every hour or so to stretch, walk around, or do some light exercises.
This will help improve circulation and reduce the risk of back pain, heart disease, and other health problems.
Use a Standing Desk
Another way to reduce the risks of prolonged sitting is to use a standing desk. A standing desk allows you to work while standing. Which can help improve posture and reduce the risk of back pain. Additionally, standing desks can help burn more calories