27 Feb A Quick Fix for a Daily Danger

Maybe you’ve heard the saying “sitting is the new smoking” to describe how harmful a sedentary lifestyle is. While it’s true that prolonged periods of inactivity and sitting can lead to a host of health problems, there are also some pretty easy (and cheap) ways to fix it. We found one study that shows how you can help protect your health, even without committing to hours on end at the gym.

The Dangers of Sitting

It’s something that many of us do for 6-8 hours a day at work, drive while doing, then come home and do some more to relax (from the hours of previous sitting). Long periods of sitting have been linked to potentially dangerous conditions like:

• Fatigue
• Overeating
• Obesity
• Increased blood pressure
• Higher blood sugar
• Higher “bad” abdominal fat
• Cardiovascular risks
• Blood clots

Movement = Improvement

It seems obvious that movement and exercise play key roles in reducing these health risks. One study compared the difference between one large block of morning walking and shorter walk-breaks throughout the work day. The study found that participants who took shorter, more frequent walk breaks throughout the day improved their mood, decreased fatigue, and also helped with appetite. So don’t feel too guilty if you miss a workout or if you are tied up in meetings, instead take short 5-minute walk breaks during the day. If possible, get in the habit of taking a break after sitting for 30 minutes to an hour. Get up and stretch and walk around, even if it’s just to refill your water bottle or to grab something down the hall. Obviously, the more you can get movement in your day the better. Instead of that after-work, binge-watch rut, form some healthy new habits during the week: take an exercise class, go for a walk, or decompress with yoga. The bottom line is that movement will help to combat the dangers of inactivity; more is better, but working movement in throughout your day also has health benefits.

Are you limited by pain or problems of the musculoskeletal system? If your past injuries or present pain are affecting your future, Body One Physical Therapy is here to help. We’re locally-owned and operated with four locations serving Central Indiana: North Indianapolis, South Indianapolis, Fishers, and Zionsville. Our team of specialized, caring physical therapists works with clients of all ages and activity levels, and we’d love to help you get on the road to recovery. Call us today and find out how Body One can help you!