The average American adult with a desk job spends most of the 8-hour workday sitting. An inactive lifestyle can lead to fatigue, weight gain and increased risk for serious health complications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, leading a sedentary lifestyle increases risk of Type 2 diabetes by 112 percent and heart disease by 147 percent. By incorporating small bursts of movement into your daily life, you can lead a healthier and more active lifestyle with ease!
Start the Day With Exercise
While some of us prefer to hit the snooze button on our morning alarms, an early workout can give you energy and a better mood for the day ahead. If you start the day moving, you may be more inspired to continue being active throughout the day!
Walk Whenever You Can
When there is an opportunity to walk, take advantage! Throughout the day, we often have the choice to move more. Start to actively think of those opportunties:
- When you drive to work, don’t park in the spot closest to the building
- If you work on the second floor, take the stairs rather than the elevator
- When you run errands, walk if you live close to town
Stand Every Half Hour
Standing every 30 minutes to an hour has many advantages, including:
- Metabolism boost
- Increased energy
- Lowered risk of disease
When your body leaves this position, you’re able to combat the pain associated with sitting for long periods of time. A fitness band can help keep you on track by alerting you when it’s time to stand up and walk around.
Perform Daily Stretches
Stretching gets the blood flowing, encourages circulation, improves posture and counteracts muscle weakness or stiffness. When we sit for a while, poor circulation keeps blood from flowing efficiently back to the heart. Uninterrupted circulation is one of the keys to combatting varicose vein disease.
Even if you lead a healthy, active lifestyle, genetics and family history can result in varicose veins. To learn more about treatment options, request a consultation today!