Contents:
- Medical Video: LIVE IT: Active Standing, the New Sitting
- Various health problems due to too long sitting
- 1. Increasing the risk of getting a disease
- 2. Increase risk overweight or obesity
- 3. Weakening of muscles
- 4. Weakening of brain power
- 5. Pain in the neck and spine
- How to prevent health problems from sitting too long?
Medical Video: LIVE IT: Active Standing, the New Sitting
The advancement of technology today makes space more limited. Many people work only at a computer and spend hours sitting. Coupled with the time to get to the office which is also spent sitting in private vehicles or public transportation.
Time at home is also spent sitting in front of the television. Very few moves are carried out every day. Even time for sports is just passed. Do not think about what risks will be caused if you sit too long, whether it can cause health problems or not.
Various health problems due to too long sitting
Work done by sitting too long coupled with a wrong diet and lack of exercise can pose a risk of various diseases. Here are some health problems caused by sitting too long:
1. Increasing the risk of getting a disease
Sitting too long increases the risk of getting diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cancer. Sitting too long can increase blood pressure, increase blood sugar, increase body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels. As reported by webmd, sitting too long causes the muscles to burn a little fat, slower blood circulation, and makes fatty acids easier to block blood circulation to the heart. This can increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, increase cholesterol, and other problems. In addition, the pancreas can also produce more amounts of insulin, which can cause diabetes.
2. Increase risk overweight or obesity
Too much sitting can also increase risk overweight or obesity. Too much sitting can trigger you to eat more and more so that you will unconsciously gain weight. Especially if overeating is not balanced with regular exercise. Fat will accumulate in the body and cause obesity.
3. Weakening of muscles
During sitting, muscles are not used. Especially if you spend more time sitting all day than standing, walking, or doing other activities. When you stand up, your abdominal muscles tighten so that the muscles work, but when you sit, your abdominal muscles are not used so that these muscles can weaken.
4. Weakening of brain power
When sitting, you can do your work at the computer and use your brain to think. But did you know that sitting for long periods of time can also weaken your brain. If you move, eating muscle will move to pump blood and oxygen to the brain and will trigger the release of chemicals in the brain. However, if you sit too long the brain functions will be slower. This is because blood circulation and oxygen to the brain run slower.
5. Pain in the neck and spine
Sitting for a long time can also cause neck and spinal pain. This is because sitting for long periods of time coupled with an uncomfortable position can make the neck bone tense and back pain. Sitting too long can add pressure to the spine and discs that make up the spine so that it can cause pain in the neck and spine.
How to prevent health problems from sitting too long?
One solution is to reduce your sitting time and make more movements. You can start with simple movements, such as standing, walking, and other light exercise. If you already feel too much sitting at work, intersect with small sports activities by moving your body. If you have the opportunity to stand or walk rather than sit, then choose to stand or walk. Start with small things, like:
- It's better to stand in a public vehicle than to sit
- It's better to walk a little longer to get home than to use a vehicle that gets faster to home
- It's better to use stairs to go upstairs than to go up elevator
The methods above are only examples, there are still many other ways. A little movement can bring big changes to your body. By walking more or doing light exercise than sitting, your body will burn more calories. This can help you reduce weight and strengthen muscles.
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