Sitting Disease & Sedentary Lifestyle Risks For Your Health

man-with-sitting-disease-symptoms

Think about how much time you spend sitting each day. Whether you’re working at a desk, driving in your car, or relaxing on the couch, the hours can add up faster than you realize even if you think you’re a more active person. While sitting down might seem harmless, there are sedentary lifestyle risks if you’re sitting too long or not getting enough activity. When you’re not moving enough, your body doesn’t function at its best and that can lead to long-term health issues.

Today, we’re discussing sitting disease. Keep reading to learn about sedentary lifestyle risks, what this condition is, and sitting disease symptoms that can develop over time. You’ll also learn some methods for managing sitting disease symptoms, like zero gravity chairs, that support your overall health and wellness.

Sedentary Lifestyle Risks

Did you realize that you might be risking health problems from sitting all day? You may not even be aware of how much inactivity you’re having, and making a concentrated effort to change can have widespread positive impacts on your well-being.

A sedentary lifestyle can develop for many reasons. You might be working long hours at a desk, driving for work or travel, and have limited mobility due to health conditions. All these contribute to sitting more often than you may realize. With modern conveniences making life easier, many people naturally move less throughout the day.

Some of the major sedentary lifestyle risks include:

  • Unhealthy weight gain leading to obesity

  • Increased risk of a heart attack or stroke

  • High blood pressure

  • Type 2 diabetes

  • Poor blood circulation in your body

  • Muscle weakness and joint stiffness

  • Mental health concerns like anxiety and depression

When you’re less active, it can also lead to other conditions like sitting disease, which comes with its own set of concerns.

What Is Sitting Disease?

If it’s the first time you’ve heard of this condition, you may be asking, “What is sitting disease?” 

Sitting disease is a term used to describe the negative health effects associated with prolonged sitting and inactivity. While it’s not an official medical diagnosis, it’s widely recognized by healthcare professionals as a growing health concern because of the way modern lifestyles have changed over time.

Instead of needing to be more active to get things done, many people spend the majority of their day sitting at a desk while they work, on a long commute in the car, or using devices like tablets or smartphones while they relax in the evenings. It’s not about being lazy; those with limited mobility capabilities also have higher sedentary lifestyle risks because of the nature of their health condition.

When you’re sitting for too long and not moving around enough, your body’s metabolism slows down, circulation decreases, and your muscles become less engaged. Over time, this can lead to sitting disease symptoms that you’ll need to manage to get yourself back on track. Simply put, too much sitting can have a negative effect on your overall well-being.

Sitting Disease Symptoms

If you’re leading a sedentary lifestyle, you may start noticing certain things often referred to as sitting disease symptoms. These sitting disease symptoms develop gradually, often becoming more apparent as inactivity continues over time. If you’ve ever had pain from sitting too long or other soreness when standing up from a chair, that’s something you need to be paying attention to and taking steps to avoid.

Some of the more common sitting disease symptoms you may experience are:

  • Stiffness and joint pain

  • Lower back pain from sitting too long

  • Swollen feet and ankles because of reduced blood flow

  • Reduced energy levels and fatigue

  • Stress or anxiety

  • Poor posture

If left unchecked, sitting disease symptoms can lead to chronic conditions or serious health complications like a heart attack or stroke. Fortunately, there are adjustments you can make to avoid sedentary lifestyle risks and support better health now and in the long term.

Ways to Manage Sitting Disease Symptoms

Managing sitting disease symptoms doesn’t require a lot of time or effort. In fact, there are some things you can easily integrate into your downtime while you rest and relax. It’s all about being cognizant of periods of inactivity and including ways to support your physical and mental health even while sitting down.

One of the most effective ways to combat sitting disease is to incorporate more movement into your daily routine. Even small changes can make a big difference. Set a reminder to stand up and stretch every hour, take short walks throughout the day while you’re on breaks, or use a standing desk at work to help avoid pain from sitting too long. The point of these activities is that you’re breaking up periods of inactivity with purposeful movement to get your blood flowing.

You can also take up low-impact exercises that elevate your heart rate and support your efforts to manage sitting disease symptoms. Exercises like walking, yoga, and stretching exercises may improve circulation, keep muscles strong, and increase mobility and flexibility. Even low-impact exercises can be beneficial, especially if you’re dealing with stiffness or discomfort from prolonged sitting.

Other helpful tools against sitting disease are zero gravity chairs. These chairs elevate your legs above your heart, distributing your weight more evenly and reducing excess pressure on your spine. This neutral spine position may help with better circulation, alleviate back pain, and even support faster bodily recovery. Additional features of zero gravity chairs like heat therapy and massage functions make the experience even better, adding ways to potentially improve your health as you sit and relax.

Additional info: Sitting disease may stem from too much inactivity, but picking the right chair can make all the difference. After this article, read up on more tips for sitting for long periods and see how intentional seating options make a noticeable impact.

Start Minimizing Sedentary Lifestyle Risks Like Sitting Disease

Taking proactive steps to reduce sedentary lifestyle risks and manage sitting disease symptoms could lead to long-term benefits for your health. Finding ways to stay active, improve posture, and incorporate supportive tools like zero gravity chairs can help you feel better and move more comfortably in your daily life. Avoiding sitting disease doesn’t mean being up on your feet day and night, but strategically planning how to sit and support your body at the same time.

Disclaimer: This content is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare professional when considering implementing changes to your health or workout routines to ensure it’s compatible with your needs.

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