12 Reasons why leading a sedentary lifestyle is bad for you

Human beings are not designed to sit for long periods. We were created to be on the move all of the time. We were made to stand on our feet. Our heart and cardiovascular system tend to work more effectively when we are active. Our bowel also functions better that way. When we are physically active, we experience an increase in our energy levels and endurance and maintain bone strength. 

 However, with the advent of technology like vehicles for transport, TVs, and computers, most traveling and daily labor has plummeted. Rapid technological advancement has enabled us to be glued to our couches and watch the news or get our daily dosage of entertainment at the comfort of our homes without having to travel anywhere. And that's how the term "couch potato" came into prominence.

A sedentary lifestyle refers to an inactive kind of lifestyle, one where there's a lot of sitting and lying with almost zero exercises. Being overweight is more likely if you live a sedentary lifestyle, develop type 2 diabetes or heart disease, and experience depression and anxiety.

Here are a few facts regarding living a sedentary lifestyle that you probably didn't realize 

An average person sits around 12 hours a day!

That's insane! No wonder,  we all are becoming lazy by the day.  Sigh!

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Fourth leading cause of mortality!

A sedentary lifestyle is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality.

Want to live longer? Quit the sedentary lifestyle!

An inactive lifestyle is the cause of almost 3.2 million deaths every year.

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The silent killer!

It is one of the most unexpected health threats of the modern era.

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"Sitting disease"

The term "sitting disease" was coined by scientists to describe metabolic syndrome and the negative consequences of an excessively sedentary lifestyle.

It's easier to gain weight

Fewer calories are burnt due to no activity. Thus, it’s much easier to gain weight.

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No activity equals to low muscles

Without any activity, there is hardly any use of the muscles. Hence there is a loss of muscle strength and endurance.

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It impacts metabolism

The body experiences difficulty breaking down fats and sugar when there is no physical activity, which directly impacts our metabolism.

Body functions poorly

Immune system stops working efficiently.

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No activity means poor blood circulation

Thus leading to cramps, joint pain, memory loss, and even heart failures.

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You'll get hip joints issues

Sitting for a longer duration of time causes our hip flexor muscles to shorten, leading to problems with hip joints.

A sedentary lifestyle does not just impact the body

An inactive person misses out on the health and fitness benefits of exercise. This has an impact on a person's mood and mental health. People who live sedentary lifestyles may feel anxiety and depression.

Now, if these facts disquieted you, think of it as a good sign. Fret not! You don't need to make considerable changes to achieve an active lifestyle. A few simple transitions, and you can lead a longer and healthier life! Studies have proved that if we choose to stand up, sit less and move more, We can obtain both physical and mental health.

You can include activity into your daily routine in many ways:

• Instead of taking the elevator, take the stairs or, at the very least, walk up the escalator.
• Instead of emailing your coworkers, go over and talk to them in person.
• Incorporate easy exercises like squats, sit-ups, lunges, etc.
• Reduce your sedentary behaviour by joining a dancing or a swimming club.
• Plan for a short hike or trek on weekends.
• Walk around when you're on the phone.