A sedentary or inactive lifestyle poses a great number of health risks. This is a lifestyle where you avoid exercising most of the time and sit and lie down all day instead. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many exercises that we usually do in person have migrated to the online world, further minimizing our physical activities.

But just how dangerous a sedentary lifestyle is? Quoting the WHO, "Sedentary lifestyles increase all causes of mortality, double the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity, and increase the risks of colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, lipid disorders, depression and anxiety". Other risks posed by a sedentary lifestyle include heart disease, high cholesterol, stroke, metabolic syndrome, and osteoporosis.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Hampton (@hybrid.calisthenics)

The WHO estimates that around 60 to 85 percent of the world's population has a sedentary lifestyle. It is also estimated that almost two-thirds of children also lead sedentary lifestyles, risking serious implications for their future health. Another study suggests that only 21 percent of adults have enough physical activities per day, with less than 5 percent performing 30 minutes of daily physical activities. This is often combined with tobacco usage as well as poor diet and nutrition.

The WHO suggests moderate physical activities for up to 30 minutes every day, tobacco cessation, and healthy nutrition to reduce the aforementioned risks. It is understandable that exercising can feel hard if you have been inactive for a very long time. This is normal, and it is even advised that you start slowly and add more exercise gradually. Ideally, of course, the more you can do, the better, but it is also not wise to overdo yourself.

There are many physical exercises you can do at home. If you are not sure how to, you can check free online guides to help you start. For example, check out the YouTube channel Hybrid Calisthenics. The directions are easy to follow, and you can compose your own training regimens based on the provided guides. Recently, we also wrote an article on how to start practicing archery at home, which you can read here. Additionally, jogging is always a cheap and easy exercise.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Hampton (@hybrid.calisthenics)

In addition to physical exercises, you can increase your physical activities by becoming more active at home or in the office. For example, you can:

• Do Housework, gardening, and yard work.
• Keep active while watching the TV by lifting hand weights, doing stretches, and pedaling an exercise bike.
• Walk around the neighborhood.
• Get up from your workstation and move around every hour.
• Stand up when taking the phone.
• Take the stairs.

The human body is designed to always be on the move, and according to a Chinese saying, "flowing water does not rot, nor a door-hinge rust", so does not a moving body.