Health issues linked to physical inactivity

Do you notice yourself getting tired easily or perhaps having trouble getting a good night’s sleep? Are you getting more forgetful? It might come as a surprise that there is a bidirectional relationship between physical activity and sleep as well as exercise and memory. Lack of physical activity can deteriorate the quality of sleep and cause poor memory but these are just the tip of the iceberg. There are more concerning health issues linked to lack of proper exercise.

What is considered an inactive lifestyle?

A sedentary or inactive lifestyle means having little or no physical activity at all. If your lifestyle does not involve exercising and you spend long hours sitting and lying down, then you fit the profile.

Are you always glued to the television and binging on your favorite Netflix series? Or are you one of those people who prefer spending most of their free time on their computers, game consoles, or mobile devices? If you didn’t hesitate to answer yes, then it’s about time that you reconsider changing how you spend your time because being a couch potato is a risk factor for developing certain chronic diseases.

Health issues linked to physical inactivity

Medical experts and fitness coaches have reiterated the health benefits of physical activity but many people still do less of it. To make matters worse, the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the decline of physical activity levels. This global crisis resulted in public restrictions that limited most of our movements and access to outdoor activities. It encouraged people to stay at home which increased screen time and reduced activities.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the lack of physical activity can increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some kinds of cancer. Protect yourself and your loved ones from these diseases through proper diet, regular exercise, and quality healthcare.

Obesity

Gaining weight is attributed to energy imbalance which means that your body is absorbing too many calories but you are only burning a few of them. Being physically active helps you stay fit and maintain a healthy weight.

Heart Disease

Another health concern from lack of physical activity is heart disease. Not getting adequate exercise can lead to the building up of fatty material in your arteries. When the blood vessels are clogged or damaged, it can lead to a heart attack or a stroke. Making an effort to engage in regular exercise can protect your heart.

Type 2 Diabetes

Lack of physical activity can make an individual vulnerable to type 2 diabetes. This can be avoided by getting enough exercise to help control blood sugar (glucose), blood pressure, and weight. Adequate physical activity also aids the body in raising “good” cholesterol and decreasing “bad” cholesterol.

Cancer

According to the CDC, you can lower the risk of certain cancers including breast, colon, bladder, lung, stomach, kidney, esophagus, and uterus when you are active.

Ways to counteract physical inactivity

The rule of thumb is that any activity is better than none. Don’t worry if you’re not the sporty type or a gym fanatic because there are simple ways to incorporate physical activity into your daily life.

You can go for a brisk walk, mow the lawn, do some gardening (calling plantitas out there), take your bike for a spin, clean the house, and dance along to the music. These are just examples of things that you can do to break the monotony of inactivity.

Make it your goal to engage in at least two and a half hours of moderate to vigorous-intensity activity per week. You can spread out the time spent on activities over the week. Your choice of activity must be something that raises your heart rate and makes you breathe faster.

Don’t worry if you’re not used to being active. If you continue to engage in a certain activity, it will get easier over time. The important thing is to make an effort to start and stop procrastinating. What are you waiting for? Get your behind off the couch or bed and get moving.

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