The risk of a sedentary lifestyle: A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of cardiovascular disease: 6 ways to avoid becoming a bum

Lethargy has its pitfalls. But for most Indians, it is practically our default state of being.

If studies are to be believed, more than half of us really hate the idea of ​​being awake!

A nation of couch potatoes

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According to a 2014 survey conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB), 54.4 percent of Indians were inactive, especially in urban areas. A recent World Health Organization report only confirmed this survey. According to the report, four out of ten Indian adults (aged 18-69) are physically inactive. A whopping 41.3 percent of Indian adults lead a sedentary (inactive) lifestyle.

Lack of activity can shorten your life

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Yes, you read that right! The more you avoid activity, the more likely you are to experience a health scare later in life. With the advent of the digital age, many people have become addicted to technology and have become accustomed to having everything at their fingertips without lifting a finger.

However, a sedentary lifestyle can affect our health and cause many ailments. The World Health Organization states: “A sedentary lifestyle increases all-cause mortality, doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, and increases the risk of colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, lipid disorders, depression and anxiety.”

How to be more active

You don’t have to make drastic changes to your lifestyle to be healthier. Most health and lifestyle experts recommend starting small and gradually building up to more intense workouts. Small changes in your daily habits can make you more active and fit.Spare five minutes to walk

No, you don’t have to set your alarm for 5:00 a.m. for a one-hour morning walk if that doesn’t work. Not all of us are morning birds! However, consider dedicating five minutes of your daily routine to exercise. According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, five minutes of light walking every 30 minutes can go a long way in keeping you in shape! You can do it like this:

• Consider cleaning the floors by hand. You get squeaky clean floors and a little exercise!
• Instead of booking a taxi, consider walking to the market and shopping.
• Go up the stairs, trip the elevator.

The Art of Being Active at Work

For most white-collar workers, sitting is almost an occupational hazard. But being inactive for eight to nine hours can wreak havoc on your well-being. Here’s how to make sure you’re (somewhat) physically active during office hours:

• Go up the stairs. Every time you climb the stairs, you’re doing your health and your waistline a great service.
• If the office provides a gym, use it after hours.
• See if you can do some squats during your lunch break.
• Make phone calls outside and walk around while talking.

Cycle for an hour a day

Cycling is a great way to be active. It strengthens the thigh muscles and reduces plaque build-up in your heart.