Sitting for long hours at your desk, in front of the TV, or in a car can result in an unhealthy lifestyle. Sitting for long periods of time without breaks can lead to negative effects on our health. A sedentary lifestyle negatively affects our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In this article, we have gathered some of the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle as well as how you can avoid them.
Physical effects of a sedentary lifestyle
People who sit for long periods of time without moving tend to have unhealthy hearts. They also have high cholesterol, which can lead to atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. The risk of heart disease is up to four times greater in those who spend more than six hours a day sitting. People who are sedentary are also at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes, which is a leading cause of death worldwide.
Mental effects of a sedentary lifestyle
Sitting for long periods of time can lead to the inability to focus or maintain attention during long periods of sitting. When we sit, our blood circulation slows down, which leads to decreased oxygen flow to the brain. This lack of oxygen causes the brain to produce less dopamine and serotonin in response to stimuli. With less dopamine and serotonin come symptoms such as mood swings, depression, fatigue, and poor impulse control.
Emotional effects of a sedentary lifestyle
One of the most common mental effects of sedentary living is depression. In fact, it’s estimated that 70 percent of people who suffer from depression also struggle with a sedentary lifestyle. This type of depression may lead to feelings like hopelessness, sadness, guilt and shame, and fatigue.
Additionally, research has shown that physical inactivity can have a negative impact on our moods by making it harder for us to feel emotions. Another common mental effect of sedentary living is increased levels of anxiety. This is because sitting for long periods can cause us to focus on the negative thoughts that make us feel overwhelmed.
Other negative consequences of a sedentary lifestyle
A sedentary lifestyle has a lot of negative effects on our well-being in general. Sitting for long hours can lead to weight gain, an increased risk for certain diseases, as well as back neck, and shoulder pain. Additionally, sitting for long hours can lead to bad posture, which can have its own set of negative health effects.
Prolonged sitting is also associated with higher rates of self-harm, eating disorders, and suicide attempts. Finally, spending too much time in front of the TV or computer screen can cause eye issues and other problems with vision.
How to avoid the negative consequences of a sedentary lifestyle
A sedentary lifestyle has a negative impact on your health and wellbeing. One way to avoid the negative consequences of a sedentary lifestyle is by making time for physical activity. Physical activity, like exercise, reduces the risk of developing diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
It also helps maintain healthy bones that are stronger and less likely to break or fracture. Additionally, it increases brain function, decreases inflammation, and improves mood. You can walk around during your lunch break or take five minutes during every break at work to stand up and stretch your legs.
The bottom line
How often do you get up and move? If you are sitting down most of the time, it is possible that you are causing some serious harm to your health. A sedentary lifestyle can have negative physical, mental, and emotional consequences. To avoid these negative effects, incorporate a little more movement into your daily routine. Get up from your desk, stretch your legs, take a walk around the block and even try yoga or cardio.
