The Health Risks of Being Sedentary: Why Our Bodies are Not Built for 21st Century Living
It’s no secret that our bodies are not built for the 21st-century lifestyle. As they exist today, our human bodies are 200,000 years old and designed for a hunter-gatherer lifestyle and physical activity.
In today’s world, however, most of us are sedentary for most of the day, sitting at desks, in cars, or on sofas. Unfortunately, this sedentary lifestyle is detrimental to our health. Not only does it increase the risk of obesity and heart disease, but it can also lead to a host of other physical and mental health issues. A lack of physical activity is one of the leading health issues associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Without regular physical activity, our bodies become less active and unable to function correctly. This can lead to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and even some cancers.
In addition to the physical health issues associated with a sedentary lifestyle, mental health can also be affected. For example, sitting for long periods has increased depression and anxiety. This is thought to be due to the lack of physical activity, which can reduce serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain.
Finally, a sedentary lifestyle can affect the bones and joints. Sitting for long periods can cause the muscles to become weaker and stiffer, leading to an increased risk of injury and arthritis.
Our bodies are not built for our modern lifestyle. Therefore, it is vital to incorporate regular physical activity into our daily routine to reduce the health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle. This can be done by walking, biking, swimming, or even just taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
In addition to regular physical activity, getting up and moving around throughout the day is essential. This can help to reduce the risk of health issues associated with a sedentary lifestyle. By reducing the amount of time we spend sitting, we can help keep our bodies healthy and functioning correctly.
Our bodies may be 200,000 years old, but that doesn’t mean we can’t adjust to our lifestyle to ensure we stay healthy in the 21st century.
