As the number of people who spend the majority of the day seated increases, so do the health risks associated with these sedentary habits. A lack of physical activity has several negative impacts on different aspects of the human body and its performance, including the performance of a very important muscle: the human heart. A general lack of movement can be detrimental to a body’s overall physical health.
Medline Plus lists the many negative health effects that a sedentary lifestyle has on the body and the heart. Some of these include:
- Obesity
- Heart diseases
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Certain cancers
- Depression and anxiety
It can be easier to live a sedentary lifestyle in the colder months. It’s nice to stay warm and cozy inside while it’s chilly everywhere else. However, we’re not doing ourselves any favors by avoiding an active lifestyle during the winter season. When your screen time starts to climb, it’s a sign that you need to do something – so get ready to learn how you can make little changes to incorporate more movement throughout your day!
Staying active at your workplace
Another big leading cause of a sedentary lifestyle is sitting down at work for most of the day. Medibank lists 13 ways to stay active during your working hours including:
- Counting your steps.
- Walking or riding your bike to work.
- Getting a height-adjustable desk (or a desk stand).
- Instead of calling or emailing, walking over to the person you need to communicate with.
- Moving around during your lunch hour.
- Taking a 5 to 10-minute break a few times throughout your day.
- Taking the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
- Calf raises while waiting in line.
Staying active at home
Whether you are staying home when not working or you are working from home, there are tremendous ways to keep fit and healthy.
Working from home presents the temptation to snack frequently. To combat those midday munchies, be sure to stock the fridge with nutritious food options and, if at all possible, try to meal prep so you aren’t tempted to order out or overeat.
Being home has its own opportunities as you have the ability to try various workout routines from the comfort of your own space. If you find that you’re only commuting from one room to another, Merritt has you covered with on-demand virtual classes. Set aside a space at home to use for fitness and get your sweat on from the comfort of home!
Getting fit at the gym
There are countless health benefits when it comes to exercising at the gym. Gyms offer helpful and knowledgeable trainers who can work with you and help you achieve your fitness goals. Another amenity offered are group fitness classes; they’re a great way to stay motivated and have fun while working out, too. On top of having trainers and group fitness classes, Merritt Clubs has nutrition and wellness coaches available to help you with your nutrition goals in addition to your fitness goals.
A sedentary lifestyle might seem like it will make your life a little easier, warmer, and give you more time to relax, but studies have only shown that it has various negative physical and mental health effects on the body. Contact us today to discuss your fitness goals for 2022!
