Four Scientists Explain What Sitting Too Long Does To Your Body

Today, we live in a world where modern machines do much of our work for us, which greatly eliminates the need for manual labor.

Not to mention, over 34 million Americans have office or sales jobs, forcing them to remain sedentary for eight or more hours a day.

According to a report published in Annals of Internal Medicinethe average person spends more than half of his or her waking hours in an inactive state (sitting at a computer, watching TV, commuting to and from work, etc).

While technology brings with it obvious benefits, such as getting more done in less time, consolidating our efforts, and connecting us to others at lightning speeds, it has many drawbacks, as well.

Sitting down for prolonged periods of time can cause problems such as chronic back pain, poor posture, and even potentially deadly diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

If you spend a lot of time sitting down for your job, take a look at the specifics of how this can negatively impact your health, according to four experts in the industry:

Brain, Neck, And Shoulder Issues

Moving our bodies means more blood and oxygen flowing throughout the brain, which helps us maintain clarity and keeps our minds sharp. However, by sitting for long periods of time, this slows the flow of oxygen and blood to our brains, inhibiting our ability to think clearly.

Also, slumping forward at work to stare at a computer screen puts tremendous strain on the neck, particularly the cervical vertebrae, which connects the spine to your head.

Poor posture also damages the back and shoulder muscles, as they become overextended due to leaning over a keyboard for long periods of time.

Back Problems

One of the most apparent problems occurs for most people in their backs, as bad posture contributes greatly to back pain, inflexible spines, and disk damage. Moving around causes soft disks between vertebrae in the spine to expand and contract, allowing blood and nutrients in.

By sitting too long, the disks become uneven and compact, even causing collagen to build up around tendons and ligaments.

Also, herniated lumbar disks occur more frequently in people who spend prolonged periods of time in front of a computer.

Muscle Degeneration

Sitting doesn’t require the use of your ab muscles, and if they go unused for too long, this can actually cause you to develop what’s called swayback, or the unnatural overextension of the spine’s natural arch.

Plus, sitting too long decreases overall flexibility, particularly in the hips and back. Flexible hips aid in balancing the body, but by sitting too long, the hip flexor muscles become short and tense.

The glute muscles also become soft after prolonged periods of disuse, and this hinders your ability to take long strides and keep the body stable.

Deterioration of Organs

Remaining seated for long periods of time can cause heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and colon cancer. In short, these problems are caused by the overproduction of insulin due to inactivity, and sluggish blood flow to the organs.

Regular movement helps kill cancer-causing cells, boosting antioxidants that eliminate these free radicals from taking over the body.

Overproduction of insulin also causes weight gain, which contributes to diabetes and obesity.

Leg Disorders

Obviously, sitting too long will hinder circulation in the legs. This causes blood to pool around the ankles, which then results in swollen ankles, varicose veins, and even harmful blood clots.

Another more subtle issue caused by prolonged sitting is that bones become weaker and less dense. Regular activity, such as running or walking, helps keep bones strong and thick.

This might explain why so many elderly people today have osteoporosis, as society becomes more and more sedentary.

According to the study, people who watched the most TV over the span of 8.5 years had a 61% greater risk of dying a premature death compared to those who watched less than one hour per day.

SO, HOW CAN WE COMBAT THIS GROWING EPIDEMIC OF INACTIVITY?

sitting
Image source: DailyInfoGraphic.com

First of all, if you DO have to sit for long periods of time for work or other purposes, make sure you sit up straight and avoid slouching or leaning over your keyboard. If you have to, buy an exercise ball, which forces your ab muscles to work and will naturally keep your body straight.

You can also use a backless stool if you want something a little more stable than an exercise ball.

Secondly, make sure to get up regularly to stretch. How often should you do this? At least once every thirty minutes, according to experts.

Get up and walk around your office for a few minutes as well, which will keep the blood flowing and allow your brain and muscles to function optimally.

Thirdly, yoga can help immensely with keeping the muscles flexible and allowing the mind to relax and decompress from the work day.

You can also buy a standing work desk, which will force you to do your work in an upright position. This helps blood and oxygen flow more freely through the body, reducing the risk of blood clots and other dangerous health problems.

Partners Who FART In Front Of Each Other Are More Likely To Have A Long Relationship

Do you find this shocking? Farting, the thing you try to avoid so frantically in front of other people particularly your partner, can actually be beneficial for your relationship.

You may wonder how that is plausible, and isn’t your partner going to be bothered by the very deed, but read on, and you might change your view.

Mamy people try to show the best of themselves in front of their partner in order to make them fall in love.

This doesn’t mean just avoiding letting one go in front of them, but also to do many other normal, everyday activities.

But, a lasting relationship is formed on sincerity and trust, and you can only accomplish that by being as natural as you can.

This is even confirmed by Leah Decesare in her book called Naked Parenting. She explains the secrets of parenting and maintaining a lasting relationship.

Leah Decesare on Farting in Front of Your Partner

The author describes the moment when she accidentally farted in front of her husband for the first time. In fact, he remembers this moment even though it was over 20 years ago.

Obviously, her husband’s first impression after hearing her fart was “I want to marry this woman.”

He felt closer than ever, and he knew he’d always be with her. He enjoyed the fact that she let him into a different personal space. The moment she crossed the Toot-Line, her husband felt free to fart in front of too.

A solid marriage should be built on honesty, acceptance, and truth. In other words, a cozy spot where you can be free and completely yourself to the tiniest detail. It’s unlike other relationships. Women are normally too shy to fart even in a public restroom because somebody may hear them.

They hold it and wait until alone to ultimately let it out. However, this should be different with your partner. Be free and natural in front of them and don’t be shy of passing gas. Of course, we don’t say you should do it in front of strangers, but only when you two are alone.

Leah reveals that farting in front of your partner creates empathy, making you closer and even more charming to them. It’s a test to see if you can be 100% you, in front of each other.

Farting is Healthy

What’s more, farting is a normal process just like laughter and tears. It’s even unhealthy to hold it in. Dr. Oz describes it can cause stomach pain, cramps, and even bloating. Plus, you shouldn’t hide or ignore that part of you even though you share the most private things with your partner.

The average person passes about half a liter of gas in a day. So, this amount of gas has to come out at some point.

A Part of the Marriage

That’s right. You vow to stick together in sickness and health and to share everything. This is thought to bring you closer and make you stronger. Be honest to make your marriage steady and lasting. Be natural and don’t abstain yourself from doing normal stuff in front of each other.

This way, you’ll build and keep a solid foundation. This includes farting in front of your partner. It’s just a sign of your close and intimate connection with them. What’s more, they can make you laugh together, and a couple who laughs when alone is eternally a happy couple.

109-Year-Old Woman Said Secret To Long Life Is Avoiding Men

A 109-year-old woman in Scotland said in January that the secret to her longevity is this: Eat your porridge and avoid men.

Centenarian Jessie Gallan, who never married, was born in a tiny two-room farm cottage where she slept “top-to-tail” with her five sisters and a brother on a straw mattress, reported The Daily Mail.

Gallan told the newspaper that her “secret to a long life has been staying away from men. They’re just more trouble than they’re worth.” She noted that she also “made sure that I got plenty of exercise, eat a nice warm bowl of porridge every morning and have never gotten married.”

Last year when she turned 108, she credited her porridge — but not avoiding men — as the reason for her longevity.The oldest person in the world is currently

Susannah Mushatt Jones, who turned 116 over the summer. She claims that eating bacon is the secret to long life.

Last year, a national survey of centenarians in the United States found that the secrets to long life include plenty of time with friends and family and a commitment to fitness.

Jessie Gallan, died three months after her birthday in January 2015.