Sedentary Hazards: Understanding the Dangers of Prolonged Sitting

Living a sedentary lifestyle has become a norm for most of us. The truth is we spend most of our days sitting. Whether in an office, working from home, commuting or just relaxing on the couch scrolling through social media, most of us are barely up and moving like we should be. But one thing we need to know is that the sedentary lifestyle we have adopted has dire health consequences. Prolonged sitting can lead to adverse outcomes. Have a look at some of the hidden dangers of sitting too long;

• Loss of strength and flexibility

When you sit for too long, your muscles and joints remain stationary, which can result in a loss of strength and flexibility due to inactivity. Prolonged periods of sitting in a chair can also lead to passive back muscle stiffness.

• Increased risk of chronic diseases

Remaining in a sedentary position for too long hinders your muscles’ ability to regulate cholesterol and blood sugar levels. This results in chronic inflammation, which is linked with health issues and chronic diseases like diabetes, certain types of cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

• Weight gain

Sitting too long can also increase your risk of gaining weight. Research shows that sedentary behavior is linked to increased cases of obesity. Moving your muscles helps your body digest the fats and sugars you eat. When you spend too long sitting, digestion becomes inefficient, and you retain those fats and sugars as fat in your body.

Some would argue that they counter weight gain risk by exercising. The unfortunate thing is that you are, however, risking health problems like metabolic syndrome.

• Mental health effects

Too much sitting has been directly linked to mental health struggles. Research shows that a sedentary lifestyle of sitting for more than eight hours a day can increase the risk of developing depression and anxiety. When you are physically active, your brain releases serotonin, which helps boost your mood. Less movement means less serotonin is released, contributing to depression.

• Back strain

A seated position stresses your back muscles, neck, and spine. It even gets worse when you slouch. Getting an ergonomic chair is a good idea, but remember, no matter how comfortable you get, your back still does not need long sitting sessions.

• Deep vein thrombosis

Sitting for too long can cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which refers to the blood clot that forms in the veins of your leg. DVT can be severe, especially when part of a blood clot in the leg vein breaks off and travels, cutting off the blood flow to other parts of the body like lungs, resulting in pulmonary embolism. This is a medical emergency that can result in significant complications or even death.

Combat the Perils of Prolonged Sitting 

That was a whole lot of not-so-great news. But the good news is that you can counter some of these adverse effects. Some practical tips include;

·         Walk or cycle, and leave the car at home

·         Walk to a colleague’s desk instead of emailing or calling

·         Take the stairs and walk up the escalators

·         Take a walk break during your coffee or tea break

·         Watch TV while standing

Are you already suffering the effects of sitting too long? All hope is not lost. Chiropractic treatment will help you in your recovery journey. The first step is to diagnose any effects like health issues and mental illness. We will then focus on spinal adjustment where our experienced chiropractors will offer gentle, hands-on adjustments to help release the tension caused by compressed nerves. We will then walk you through better schedules to reduce sitting for long and combat the perils of prolonged sitting.

For more guidance on the hidden dangers of sitting for too long and how to combat the perils of prolonged sitting, contact Dr Jason Jones at our Chiropractic office in Elizabeth City, NC.