According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sedentary lifestyle or physical inactivity can have serious implications on people’s health. Close to two million deaths every year are linked to physical inactivity. This makes sedentary lifestyle among the 10 leading causes of death and disability in the world.
Sedentary lifestyles double the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity. Being inactive also increase the risks of colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, lipid disorders, depression and anxiety.
According to WHO, roughly 70% of people in the world live a sedentary lifestyle, making this one of the more serious yet least addressed public health problems. It is estimated that nearly two-thirds of children are also insufficiently active, this impacts their future health directly.
Here are a few recommendations to help you become more active at home and at work:
- Walk more. Walking is the most underestimated form of exercise. A brisk 10-minute daily walk has a lot of health benefits, simply taking the stairs makes you healthier and stronger. Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier.
- Stretch often. Stretching helps improve your range of motion and decrease your risk of injury, among other benefits. Stretching also has a psychological effect on the mind, it always feels good when you stretch your hands out while yawning, the same applies if you decide to randomly stretch. Stretch out your entire body every hour.
- Exercise at home. Skipping, jogging, seat ups, press ups, jumping jacks are a few work outs to engage in when at home. Some people go an extra mile and work out while watching their favorite soap opera. Try as much as possible to spare at least 1 hour a day for exercise.
- Stand up. If your work involves excessive seating try to stand up and move around after every hour. Seats can be your back’s worst enemy, taking a break from your seat can help get rid of random back pains. Moving around will also get your blood flowing all over your body.
Physical activities have many health benefits and being more active from day to day will also boost your endurance, strength, balance and flexibility. Take the bold step today and be more active at work and at home, its for your own good!
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