“Sitting has become the new smoking.”
This phrase has recently grown in popularity with those in the healthcare field. But is there any truth to this sentiment?
Essentially, research has shown that sitting and avoiding exercise can actually be considered high-risk behavior as it deprives people of the wonderful health effects of exercise. With that being said, let’s take a look at the top 5 signs that you are probably sitting too much, and what you can do about it with the help of your local chiropractor.
Sign #1: You’re Feeling Stiff
Generally, you can tell that you’ve been sitting too much if you have an overall feeling of stiffness. For instance, if you stand up after sitting for a few hours, and you need a few minutes to straighten out your back for normal walking, you’re definitely spending too much time sitting.
One of the best ways to correct this issue is to perform frequent exercise throughout the day. Even just standing up and pacing around your office for 5 minutes every hour goes a long way toward decreasing your stiffness.
Sign #2: You’re Having Trouble Completing Your Daily Tasks
Have you noticed that you now lose your breath when you perform your daily tasks? For example, perhaps even walking to the mailbox now feels like you’ve just run a marathon. If this sounds like you, it’s time to get moving!
Performing even light cardiovascular exercise for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week can vastly improve your cardiorespiratory capacity. Now, get up and go for a walk!
Sign #3: Your Shoulders are Starting to Round
Forward head posture and rounded shoulders are two very common postural deformities seen in individuals today.
People who sit and work at desks for hours on end (such as students and office workers) tend to assume a more “hunched” posture if they don’t take active steps to avoid this outcome.
Luckily, by performing simple exercises in which you actively straighten out your spine and stretch out your chest muscles, you can slowly but surely counteract the issues of forward head posture and rounded shoulders.
Sign #4: You’re Feeling More Tired than Usual
One of the interesting things about sitting and resting too much is that it can actually make us more tired than as compared to when we are active. Our bodies work best when we are physically active, and if we don’t provide our bodies with enough movement every week, we’ll often suffer the health consequences.
If you’ve been feeling tired all the time, no matter how much you sleep, this is probably a sign that you need to get up and move!
Sign #5: You’re Starting to Gain Weight
Weight gain isn’t always a bad thing. For those that are underweight, gaining weight can lead to better overall health. However, very few of us in society today need to gain weight. In fact, most of us could stand to lose a few pounds.
If you’re noticing that your waistline is steadily growing, you should spend some time analyzing your physical activity habits. If you find that you aren’t getting enough exercise each day, try incorporating a little bit more every day, no matter how low the intensity.
For those looking for help on their journey toward increasing their activity level, the team at At Last Chiropractic, the Lithia, FL chiropractors, can help. We can reduce any aches and pains you may have through targeted treatments and expert evaluation techniques. By reducing your pain and stiffness, you’ll have a much easier time getting up and moving. Book your appointment now!
