The Dangers of a Sedentary Lifestyle:

imagesIf your job chains you to a desk for hours on end, making money and holding down a stable job may be doing you more harm than good. Sitting for prolonged periods of time is not good for your health. Researchers even suggest that 30 minutes of physical activity a day might not even be enough to counteract the effects of your desk job. Your desk job can be detrimental to your health. Your desk job just may inspire you to get up and get moving as much as possible.

Most individuals are aware that leading a sedentary lifestyle can cause you to gain weight. Some even blame America’s obesity problem on the large number of desk jobs. More people than ever have desk jobs and more people than ever before are obese.

Leading a sedentary lifestyle can also increase your risk of developing certain cancers including colon and breast cancers. Research shows that more active women have smaller waist lines and lower cancer biomarkers, both of which can influence your chances of developing breast cancer.

Spending too much time behind your desk can negatively affect numerous functions of your body. Sitting too long can affect your muscles and their activity as well as your cholesterol levels. Muscle atrophy and heart conditions can shorten your lifespan.

Your desk job and type II diabetes are also linked. Individuals who sit for extended periods time can experience changes in blood sugar levels. The more you sit, the greater your chances of developing type II diabetes.

Don’t let this stop you from quitting your day job. After all, we all work cause we’ve got bills to pay, right? What can you do about sitting at your desk all day long? Get up and get moving as much as possible. Make it a point to not sit longer than one hour at a time. If you need to talk to a boss or co-worker, get up and walk to their office or cubicle – avoid picking up your phone or sending an e-mail.  Take the stairs instead of the elevator and get up every once in a while to refill your water bottle. Try to get outside and get some fresh air on your lunch break. If you are having a meeting with a co-worker that doesn’t involve a presentation or a computer, why not have the meeting while walking the halls or outdoors? Just because you have a desk job, it does not mean you have to be chained to your desk.

Source: http://if-fit.com/the-dangers-of-a-sedentary-lifestyle/