Is Sitting the New Smoking?

The motto of health experts and standing desk advocates throughout the globe is that sitting is now the new smoking. Is this, however, accurate? Is it so horrible for you to sit on a chair? While it is true that both smoking and sitting have harmful impacts on health, it is hard to compare the two. The difference between sitting and smoking is that society has marginalized one, while the other has been enlarged. 
It's fantastic to be able to relax. In fact, it is required. But when does taking a break become living a sedentary life? It is possible to harm your health by leading a sedentary lifestyle. The less time you spend sitting or lying down during the day, the higher your chances are of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Sitting at a desk all day increases your chance of dying prematurely, but standing or moving about reduces that risk. 
If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, you are more likely to be overweight, to develop diabetes type 2 or heart disease, and to suffer from depression and anxiety, among other things. Continue reading to learn more about the dangers of sitting for too long, according to a physiotherapist in Botany.

Vascular problems

Blood and fluid pooling in your lower legs and feet after sitting for an extended amount of time might be causing your symptoms of tiredness, swollen feet, and aching lower legs and feet. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a severe condition of the worst circumstances. When a blood clot forms in a deep leg vein, it is perilous because it can travel to the lungs. 
In addition to a blood condition, an accident or other associated trauma may increase a person's chance of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). But the third factor, and the one over which we all have power, is stasis, defined as staying motionless or sedentary over an extended period. Women who are pregnant or using birth control, the elderly, and persons who smoke are at increased risk of contracting the disease. You can get a more widespread blood clot if you do not exercise or move about on occasion.

Spine issues and lower back pain

Prolonged sitting exerts much strain on the spinal structures and other joints, such as the shoulders and hips, mainly when done in a reclined position. Sitting at our computers, we often slump and crane our necks forward, resulting in long-term postural misalignment and discomfort. Sedentary behavior may also lead to deconditioning of the whole body and early muscle fatigue, weaker core stabilizers, and tightened hip flexors, contributing to more significant stress on the low back and decreased spinal flexibility. Over time, it also affects the gluteal buttock muscles, causing them to become deactivated and weaker. This is referred to as gluteal amnesia in certain circles, and it may result in low back discomfort and hip pain in some people. Because both inactivity and extended sitting may lead to bone weakness and fractures, it is essential to move about often during the day to mitigate the detrimental consequences of sitting.

Heart disease

It is undeniable that sitting and a general lack of physical activity have a role in many instances of cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of mortality in both men and women. When you sit for lengthy periods, your body experiences various unfavorable effects. Additionally, sitting influences things such as sugar management and blood pressure—by interfering with the natural function of blood vessels, it contributes to diabetes and heart attacks. We all know that the more time you spend sitting, the greater the likelihood that you may have a heart attack or die due to cardiac disease. The amount of physical activity you engage in is an independent contribution, as is the amount of food you consume. Body mass index and waist circumference are two more factors to consider regarding heart health; in both situations, the values will increase the longer you sit.

Depressive symptoms such as loneliness

A person's social circle is considered to shrink when they rely only on the internet for communication, and feelings of despair and loneliness are believed to arise due to this practice. Staying confined to your office also means that you are unlikely to be spending enough time outdoors. Due to a lack of exposure to sunlight, a person may have a vitamin D deficiency, resulting in depression.

Cancer

In the same way that overeating red meat or smoking are both independent causes of cancer, sitting at work and living a sedentary lifestyle, in general, seem to be as well. Do as much of your work standing as you possibly can, and then move as much as you possibly can after that. Extra weight increases cancer risk, and standing burns twice as many calories as sitting. It's undoubtedly a difficult task. We all have things to complete, and many of us don't have a lot of spare time to accomplish them. As a result, try to do as much as you can standing. The most important thing to do is encourage and promote a healthy lifestyle in general. This involves engaging in regular physical activity, abstaining from smoking, limiting the consumption of alcohol and meat, and consuming an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables.

Mental illness

Sitting for long periods each day has been related to mental health problems such as anxiety disorders and depression. Although experts are divided on the cause of this relationship, it is thought to be related to a lack of physical activity and fitness, which improve mental health. Regardless of whether you exercise or not, sitting for lengthy amounts of time each day counteracts the benefits of the exercise and increases your chance of developing these illnesses. In fact, according to scientists, these dangers rise with each additional two hours of sitting. If you don't want to close your company or leave your work, there are various practical options to be more active and feel pumped up while at the office.

Obesity

Being physically inactive and spending long periods sitting harms your energy expenditure, which leads to increased fat accumulation and decreased fat and glucose metabolism. As a result of the resulting imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, excessive weight is gained, leading to obesity. Obesity, on the other hand, increases the chance of developing several severe diseases, such as metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. If you need a physiotherapist in Botany due to any health conditions associated with sitting down for too long, as mentioned in the article above, consider contacting one from Movement 101 at 02 9199 0206 for the best physical therapy treatment. You can also visit their website; https://www.movement101.com.au/ to learn more about their therapy services.
Movement 101
1421a Botany Road
Botany NSW 2019
0295679452

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