Why You Need To Sit Down Sometimes To Be Healthy

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You might have heard the phrase “sitting is the new smoking” and wondered if you should ditch your desk job and become a marathon runner. Remaining seated for long periods can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases and may even age people faster, according to some research.


But is it all as bad as it seems? While it's true that sitting for long periods of time can have negative effects on your health, it doesn’t mean you should avoid sitting down completely. Even gazelle take a rest from time to time, and biology evolved them to stand on their feet for twenty-plus hours per day!

Why Sitting Is Generally Bad


Sitting for extended periods is generally bad for several reasons, which is why medical and health researchers want you to stop doing it.


For instance, sitting for long periods can lead to poor posture, which can cause neck and back pain, headaches, and muscle tension.


It can also increase the risk of chronic diseases, like heart disease and diabetes. Generally speaking, the body needs a challenge. But when you sit for long stretches of the day, it doesn’t get it, causing it to weaken.


Some people also experience a slower metabolism. Sitting reduces muscle and increases fat mass, making it harder to burn the energy you consume. Even skinny people might be skinny-fat, which is a term that describes individuals with lots of visceral fat.


Muscle weakness is another issue, particularly among older adults. When you sit for long periods, your muscles become inactive, which can lead to weakness and loss of muscle mass. Failing to use your muscles can then increase the risk of falls considerably, which might lead to further health complications down the road.


Sitting too much can also cause various circulation issues. Extended periods of being in the same position can lead to blood clot formation, which is serious.


Therefore, sitting has some downsides. But many of these have to do with the fact that humans do too much of it. If we could somehow moderate our sitting, perspectives would change and it would become something positive again.

How Sitting Might Be Good For You

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Controversial statement of the century: “Sitting can be good for you.”


But as you’re about to read, witting down sometimes can actually be good for your health, as long as you do it right. Here are some reasons why you need to sit down sometimes to be healthy:


It Helps You Relax


For example, sitting down from time to time can help you relax and reduce stress. If you’re always on your feet rushing around, you never give your system a chance to recover and go through its normal daily cycle.


Remember, stress is a major factor that can impair your immune system, increase inflammation, and contribute to chronic diseases. Therefore, sitting down occasionally can help you calm your mind and body and get into a more peaceful state, particularly if you have a portable meditation chair.


Sitting down also lets you enjoy some hobbies that can boost your mood and creativity. Sure, you can paint or play musical instruments while standing up, but what’s better than sitting down?


It Helps You Recover From Physical Activity


Another reason sitting down could be good for you is that it can help you recover from physical activity. If you exercise regularly, which you should, you need to give your muscles and joints some rest and recovery time. Constantly moving around hampers the recovery process and makes it less likely you’ll get the results you want in the gym. Sitting improves muscle soreness and fatigue, and prevents injuries. It also gives your nervous system a break, which is essential for anyone who trains with heavy weights regularly.


It Improves Your Social Life

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Here’s another weird benefit of sitting you probably haven’t considered: it can improve your social life. Humans are social animals, and we need to interact with other people for our mental and emotional well-being. Sitting down can help you have meaningful conversations with your friends, family, or colleagues about things that are affecting your life. You can really get to the bottom of issues and learn new things.

Conclusion


So how much sitting is enough? Well, it all depends on how active you are the rest of the time. Experts say you should stand up and get some exercise every hour or so. However, if you have an active lifestyle, you might want to prioritize sitting from time to time, just to give your body a break.

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