A sedentary lifestyle can have many negative effects on our health, including weight gain, increased risk of chronic diseases, and even early death. Thankfully, there are things we can do to combat the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. In this blog post, we will explore three ways to do just that. From developing healthy habits to incorporating physical activity into your day-to-day life, read on to learn more about how you can lead a healthier life.
Effects and risks of sedentary lifestyle
A sedentary lifestyle is a lifestyle that involves little or no physical activity. It can lead to various health problems, such as obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.
There are several ways to combat the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. These include regular physical activity, healthy eating, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Good posture is the key
If you spend most of your day sitting down, good posture is key. By maintaining good posture while sitting, you can help combat the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle.
When sitting, be sure to keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed. Avoid slouching or hunching over, as this can lead to back and neck pain.
The correct posture is one that does not strain our spine and does not block blood circulation: a supported back, knees bent at a right angle and hands and elbows placed freely. However, the position should not be rigid and forced.
Get up as often as possible
When you spend most of your time sitting, it’s important to get up as often as possible. Here are some tips to help you combat the effects of a sedentary lifestyle:
• Get up and move around every 20 minutes or so. Take a walk, do some stretching, or just stand up and move around.
• You can keep your water bottle away from your desk. This way everytime you want to drink, you'll have to get up and move a little.
• If you can, work in a standing or walking desk. This will help you get moving even while you’re working.
By getting up and moving more often, you can combat the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle and improve your overall health.
Get moving for at least 30 minutes everyday
When it comes to combating the effects of a sedentary lifestyle, one of the most important things you can do is to get moving for at least 30 minutes every day. This doesn’t have to be all at once – you can break it up into smaller chunks of time throughout the day if that’s easier. Just make sure you’re getting your body moving and your heart rate up for at least half an hour each day.
There are all sorts of ways you can get moving, so find something that you enjoy and that fits into your schedule. Even something as simple as walking can be the answer. But it is important to do it regularly. If struggle with regularity of your workours, we invite you to try Fitale! Fitale is a fitness based mobile game, in which you can pledge your own daily step goals and get rewarded for reaching them. Fitale is free and you can check it out here, on the AppStore.
And if you can’t fit your walk or your workout in 30 minutes all at once, remember that even shorter bursts of activity can add up over the course of the day. So don’t let excuses like “I don’t have time” stop you from getting moving!
