Top 5 Reasons To Keep Moving This Winter

Let’s be honest, we all probably sit for too long, whether that’s: for work, at home on the sofa watching TV, or driving around town running errands. Sometimes it seems that all we do is sit, especially over the festive period and winter months. Why? Well, it’s easy and also feels relaxing and comfortable. But surely it’s not good for you? See below for a list of effects that can result from oversitting. Brace yourself, you might want to get those walking shoes ready!

1. Inhibitory Postures

Sitting for too long puts added pressure on your lumbar discs, inhibiting your weight being evenly distributed throughout your spine. This can lead to the pelvis rotating backwards which throws your head forward creating bad posture (slumping)

2. Chronic Pain

Sitting for too long may lead to excess pressure on certain parts of the body to compensate for poor posture. The lower back is an area that usually suffers from oversitting. If this happens over a long period of time, it may lead to discomfort and pain.

3. Likely Weight Gain

When you don’t move about enough, you lose muscle mass. Muscle mass helps you burn more calories at rest as it is a cellularly more active tissue than fatty tissue. Move less = burn less calories.

4. Low Energy Movement and exercise increase s energy levels. By sitting for long periods of time you may find yourself struggling with lethargy. This may result in you reaching out for less than optimum ways of feeling re-energised, e.g. caffeine/ sugar. Start by building up with short walks, the body adapts to the regular movement you do.

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5. Declining Mental Health

With recent events we don’t need reminding what life can be like stuck inside all the time, but the impacts of this are sadly more than just physical. With limited social interaction comes the risk of reduced mental well-being compounded by heightened periods of tiredness, struggling to sleep, lack of concentration , and decreased social skills.

Easy Movement Maintenance Tips: o Set a timer and take a break from sitting every 30 minutes. o Stand while talking on the phone or watching television. o If you work at a desk, try a standing desk, or improvise with a high table or counter. o Introduce walking meetings with your colleagues/friends rather than sitting in a conference room/cafe

Address Aches and Pains

Many don’t realise it, but aches and pains can be the reason you have stopped doing something that you once enjoyed We specialise in helping:

Back pain

Neck pain

Joint pain/stiffness

Sciatica

Headaches and migraines

Muscle spasms

Osteoarthritis

Tension and inability to relax

Poor posture