An inactive, sedentary lifestyle opens doors to multiple health ailments and conditions. Help curb the effects of this damaging lifestyle by incorporating little changes entailing physical activity

A sedentary lifestyle is a type of lifestyle which involves very little or no physical activity. Sedentary behaviour includes sitting or lying down while watching television, playing electronic games, sitting while driving a car, lying down while reading, studying, or writing or working on your desktop.

A sedentary lifestyle is a very common phenomenon spreading in metro cities, which when combined with poor eating habits can be detrimental to a person’s health. The main contributing factor to our increasingly sedentary lifestyle is Internet & rapid changes in technology. Technology has brought up more inactive modes of transit, as a result, many of our jobs have become more sedentary with long days sitting at the desk and the way most of us get around is either by way of Car, Bus, or train. Physical activity has lost its place in our routine.

So, when you are having an inactive lifestyle,

• You burn fewer calories and gain weight - The more weight you gain the harder your heart must work. Keep in mind that your heart is also a muscle and the less it is worked, the weaker becomes.
• You will start losing muscle flexibility, strength, and endurance – Blood does not flow as freely through tight and bound muscles.
• You will have lower metabolism – The body’s ability to break down the fat reduces.
• Your BMI will increase - which is one of the most prominent effects of a sedentary lifestyle.
• Your bones will start getting weaker & start losing mineral content.
• Your immune system may not work as it should & your body will have more inflammation.
• Your body will develop a hormonal imbalance

Hence, you are inviting the following life-threatening health risks when you have

• Fat Building which leads to cholesterol
• Chronic health Issues i.e., heart disease, Type-2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Mental health issues
• Anxiety
• Certain cancers like colon, breast, or uterine cancer

As per several surveys taken by WHO, worldwide it is estimated that 6% of coronary heart diseases, 7% of type 2 diabetic, 10% of Breast cancer, and 10% of Colon cases are resulting from a sedentary lifestyle.

Now you must be wondering that how much is a sedentary lifestyle. A study has shown that even if you are doing enough physical activity during the day, sitting for more than 7 to 10 hours a day is bad for your health.

These sinister side effects of living a sedentary lifestyle will have you itching to jump out of your seat and make you discover the easiest thing you can do right now to reverse the damages you have done to yourself.

So, what can you do?

The answer is simple, get started with exercising.

Unless you are working in an environment that keeps you active this will be tough in the beginning. But start making choices and choose good habits like,

• Take the stairs instead of elevators
• Stand as often as you can at work.
• Walk while using your cell phone.
• Park your car further from your workplace.
• Exercise and stretch daily.

Health professional suggests that walking 10,000 steps a day, which is approximately 5 miles should be the ideal goal to set for improving your health and reducing your health risks. According to WHO, 70% to 85% of the world population does not engage in enough physical activity, which is one of the leading factors of global mortality.

There is a lot you can do to be more active. Exercise does not have to be always intense. Focus on adding just 30 minutes of extra activity into your day, three days a week. You can always break down it into smaller segments like 10 minutes in the morning, afternoon & evening. Those extra activities can be washing your car or, doing your dirty dishes, walking to the grocery store instead of using your car, carrying groceries home, doing simple yard work, or sweeping and moping around in the house.

Choose to exercise and get moving, just get moving. Avoid any life-threatening or harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle and take control of your mind, body, and soul.

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy!

The life-long commitment to health comprises of healthy habits, and a health insurance plan that suits your unique needs. Contact us to find the right health insurance plan for you!