Say No to a Sedentary Lifestyle: 7 Reasons to Get Active

In this day and age, many of us lead a sedentary lifestyle even though we don’t want to admit it. From computers to mobile phones, there are many things that seem more “fun” than being physically active.

However, there’s also the unfortunate fact that many people aren’t aware of the consequences and how serious they can be. With that in mind, here are seven reasons why you should be more physically active.

1.      Sedentary lifestyle may lead to anxiety and depression

Most of us are familiar with that feeling of emptiness due to not doing anything all day. Sometimes, we simply feel unmotivated, and sometimes, the reasons for that are justifiable.

You may be going through a bad breakup, or you may be having some other issues that are affecting you at that moment. However, when that one day turns into one week or one month, that feeling of emptiness can grow into anxiety and depression.

Moreover, if you already are depressed, not doing anything about it means you’re not getting any better. The first step towards getting better is always getting active, so don’t let yourself become glued to your bed.

2.      You are less likely to be overweight or obese

This one is pretty clear and it’s completely logical. If you keep leading a sedentary lifestyle, you’re more likely to become overweight or obese.

Also, if you already are overweight, and you still lead a sedentary lifestyle, you’re less likely to lose weight. Physical activity is essential to getting in shape – and staying in shape.

No matter how little you eat, you won’t get far unless you actually physically move. Moreover, being overweight comes with many other downfalls, from limiting your movement to affecting your confidence.

So, it’s safe to say that you can have a much better quality of life if you are physically healthy.

3.      Your back would hurt less

Many of us work with computers, but if you don’t take enough breaks, or if you continue using your computer for hours even after your work is done, the effects can last for a long time.

The thing is, sitting for hours at a time puts pressure on your lower back disks, which eventually leads to degeneration, and then, back pain. This is why every medical professional advises that you should change your position every 15-25 minutes, and take a short break every 30-45 minutes.

If you do start feeling back pain, and you think you might have damaged your spine, you can always consult professional neurosurgeon Dr Timothy Steel. He can advise you on the best course of action, and if surgery becomes necessary, you’d be in good hands.

4.      You wouldn’t lose muscle mass

Another one that is pretty logical – if you don’t use your muscles, they will start to atrophy. Of course, you probably won’t become immobile, but you will become weaker, and your endurance will suffer as well. It’s really a case of “use it or lose it”, and the only way to be physically strong is to actually be active. Of course, this doesn’t mean you need to spend hours in the gym. Even an hour-long walk in the park, or some simple exercises that you can do at home can keep you in good shape. So, whenever the weather is nice, take the opportunity to cycle to work or enjoy a nice walk in the evening.

5.      Sedentary lifestyle results in bad blood circulation

With poorer blood circulation come many other health issues. For instance, your skin would get affected since you wouldn’t be sweating or washing away dead skin cells from the skin’s surface.

Your blood flow also nourishes the skin, so with poor circulation, you’re more likely to suffer from blemishes, pimples, rashes, and other skin problems.

6.      Your brain would function better

When you do nothing for too long, it’s not just your body that suffers – your mind does too. Research has shown that older adults who lead a sedentary lifestyle are just as likely to develop dementia as those who are predisposed to it. So, if you want to reduce this risk, you should add walks to your weekly schedule, and you should keep your brain active.

7.      Your blood sugar levels would not rise

Even if you’re not overweight, your blood sugar levels can rise if you spend too much time sitting down.

This is because even though you might not be gaining fat, you’re still losing muscle, which means that eventually, you’d still end up with a higher ratio of fat to muscle. This “skinny fat” condition can lead to higher levels of cholesterol and blood sugar.

Consequently, this puts you in danger of diabetes, and once you get there, there’s not much you can do about it. In this case, prevention is definitely better than cure.

In Conclusion

Most of us don’t exercise enough for one reason or another. However, the consequences of not being physically active can be very serious.

So, don’t wait until those consequences become visible, and start improving your lifestyle today.