Work has come to revolve around the screen in this modern age of 9-to-6 desk jobs and advanced technology. Even for leisure, we still spend much of our time in front of our screens. The pandemic didn’t help with that either.
Everyone’s been preaching how too little exercise is detrimental to both physical and mental health, and yet the turnout isn’t as high as we’d expect. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 1 of 4 U.S. adults meet the recommended amount of physical activity. What’s up with that?
Your desk job can get you drained, even if you’re just sitting down for about 40+ hours a week. Although that’s valid, it’s important to make room for exercise. You might be comfortable with your routine now, but you won’t be once the effects start to show. Here are some reasons why you should change that.
Increased Risk of Scoliosis
Research shows that little physical activity is linked to the development of scoliosis. This isn’t only because of your office chair (although that can play a part, too). Your overall sedentary lifestyle is the culprit. Doing physical activities get you to move parts of your body you don’t normally get to in your daily routine.
In case you already have scoliosis, seek professional advice on what workout routines work best for you. Consider physical therapy for your scoliosis, too.
Sitting Too Long and Too Often Can Cause a Host of Illnesses
A desk job is heavy on the mental work and not much on the physical aspect, so you spend at least eight hours a day sitting at work.
A meta-analysis study revealed that sitting for a prolonged period increases the risk of developing a host of illnesses, such as cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and cancer.
But you’re not entirely doomed. To make up for all that sitting, start your day with a light jog around your neighborhood, or do some yoga poses.
Weight Gain
Weight gain is an inevitable consequence, but did you know that lack of exercise is more to blame than overeating? According to the Stanford University School of Medicine, inactivity may be to blame for the rise in obesity more than overeating.
The next time you think of going on a diet, make sure to include exercise on the list.
Increased Risk of Falls in the Elderly
As a person gets older, they become more and more prone to falls ad injuries. Not to say that you’re old, but this could be you. Therefore, protect yourself by staying active. Regular exercise has been found to help reduce falls in older people.
People should exercise at least twice a week for at least 52 weeks before these physiological adaptations take effect. But it’s always best to start now.
Enhanced Positive Outcome for Your Mental Well-Being
Have you noticed just how good you feel after a successful workout? Imagine feeling that good mood every day if only you worked out. Regular exercise does more than improve your mood. It’s proven in a study that exercise helps with anxiety, depression, and mood. It helps with stress reactivity, self-efficacy, distraction, and cognitive dissonance. Now, you don’t have an excuse to ignore your gym membership.
If you’re not a morning person, you can always work out at a later time or whenever it’s convenient for you. You can even invite a friend to do these physical activities with you. It helps to have an accountability partner to keep yourself in check.
Suggestions for Your Workspace
Spending the majority of a week at work warrants a comfortable work setup (not too comfortable though that you won’t get any work done).
Have you been experiencing neck and back pain, maybe stiff shoulders and strained wrists, too? It’s time you optimize your workspace for prolonged use.
If you haven’t yet, make adjustments to make your workspace ergonomic. This involves adjustments to the height of your desk, chair, and the placement of your computer.
The Bottom Line
No one is too young or too busy to prioritize their health. Don’t say you don’t have the time to work out when you can spend six hours binge-watching a series or scroll through social media. There’s a time for everything if you just take the time to do them.
If you think you’re part of the majority of people who don’t exercise, do something about it. Make time for a quick morning jog, a walk in the park, or any other form of exercise you can fill in your daily routine. Choose your health and start today.
