The Hidden Health Risks of a Sedentary Lifestyle
Medically Reviewed By
Dr Divya Rohra
Written By Meenakshi
on Jul 11, 2023
Last Edit Made By Meenakshi
on Mar 18, 2024
There is no denying that we all nowadays are living in a world dominated by technology & convenience. Knowingly or unknowingly, we all lead a sedentary lifestyle. Don’t be surprised! Yes, we do! Sitting for prolonged hours, neglecting physical activities, and making poor dietary choices lead to a poor or sedentary lifestyle. All these habits seem normal and a part of our routine, but they can impact our well-being in the long run. In this blog, let’s discuss hidden health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle & shed light on tips to improve it for the better. So, let’s get started.
Health Risks Of Leading A Sedentary Lifestyle:
- Increases Risk Of Chronic Diseases: Prolonged sitting and limited physical movement make us more prone to develop chronic conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, hypertension, and certain types of cancers.
- What to do: Engage in any physical exercise, be it gym or normal walking, to mitigate the risks of developing such conditions & promote a healthier future.
- Obesity & Metabolic Dysfunction: All the activities that add to a sedentary lifestyle, like poor eating choices, inactive routines, disturbed sleeping patterns, or prolonged sitting, can lead to obesity and disrupted metabolism. If not managed in time, it can increase the risks of several health complications.
- What to do: It is good to make mindful eating choices that enhance metabolism and metabolic health and keep your weight in check to stay fit, healthy, and in the right shape.
- Musculoskeletal Issues: Extended sitting periods & poor posture both contribute to Musculoskeletal problems, like back pain, neck pain, and weak muscles & it even increases the risk of cervical pain and more.
- What to do: Taking short breaks, ensuring regular movements, and incorporating physical activities is the key to strengthening muscles, improving posture & reduce the risk of health issues.
- Affect Cardiovascular Health: Sedentary lifestyle negatively impacts cardiovascular health and increases the risks of developing heart abnormalities or heart attacks. It influences blood pressure, causes higher levels of bad cholesterol & decreases physical endurance.
- What to do: Ditch the poor lifestyle and switch to a better lifestyle, like following activities, diet, or habits that can strengthen the cardiovascular system, improves heart health & minimizes the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Poor Mental Health: The sedentary lifestyle is not just harsh on your physical health but equally takes a toll on your mental health. Lack of exercise and poor lifestyle choices contributes to varied mental issues, like stress, anxiety & depression, which can further make your physical health worse.
- What to do: Regular physical activity releases endorphins that keep your stress levels in check, improve mood, and promote better mental health.
And this is not it! There are so many other risks linked to leading a sedentary lifestyle. It is impossible to leave your job, but a few habits or ways can make a difference. So, what are they? Let’s find out together.
Tips To Fix A Sedentary Lifestyle:
- Prioritize Daily Movement: It might be challenging but possible. Hence, make a conscious effort to add a little physical movement or exercise into your routine. Set reminders to take short walks or breaks from your desk job to stay active and minimize your risk of getting into the grip of the health risk of a sedentary lifestyle.
- Make Mindful Eating Choices: Other than making a little exercise a part of your routine, switching to healthy dietary choices is essential to fix your sedentary lifestyle. Eating healthy can keep you physically, mentally & emotionally healthy and elevate your quality of life.
- Take Routine Health Checkups: Yes, the role of preventive health checkups might sound small, but it is not and, in fact, very significant. Getting yourself routinely tested or taking routine full body checkups can help you identify the hidden threats to your health, even before symptoms develop or things turn serious. Embracing the goodness of regular health checkups fosters the quality of your life. It helps you be aware and take preventive measures in time.
- Stress Less: Thanks to our sedentary lifestyle, stress has become a part of our life. It is unsuitable for our health and can lead to various health issues. It is not possible to permanently eliminate it, but it is manageable with some meditation or stress-relieving practices.
- Track Your Progress: Fixing a sedentary lifestyle is not a one-day job; it is a continuous process that needs to be followed appropriately to track the progress and take action to manage it better. Further, tracking your progress motivates and helps you make the right choices.
Also Read: If you are a working professional and working for tips to break a sedentary lifestyle, give a read to this insightful blog:
Escaping a sedentary lifestyle requires conscious efforts & commitment to improve your health for good. Embrace these simple, small, and significant steps that can enhance well-being. It is essential to identify the risk and act to improve health. Therefore, apart from following these simple tips, it is essential to make routine health checkups a part of your lifestyle. It will help you be aware of your health & stay ahead of complications.
Redcliffe Labs – A Reliable Choice For Routine Health Checkups
Redcliffe Labs is the name to recall if you are looking for a diagnostic partner for routine health checkups. We offer a comprehensive range of prescribed, preventive & specialized tests under one roof. You can book a Full Body Checkup with us to get tested comfortably from home. So, why wait, and what for? Fix your sedentary lifestyle with smart choices.
Book Preventive Health Checkup with us now. We have well-equipped diagnostic labs and advanced resources to provide a reliable diagnostic experience to every individual. We provide doorstep sample collection convenience, precise sample collection, and accurate reports within a promised timeframe. In today’s time, a key to improving your health for good is to make routine health checkups a part of your life. So, add them to your lifestyle and see the positive shifts in the quality of your life.