Stop Sitting So Much: Movement Is Good

Leading a sedentary lifestyle has long been known to cause health issues. As we age, the less we move, the harder it is for us to keep our balance and that can make us prone to trip and fall accidents. A fall in those aged 65 and older is one of the major reasons that individuals end up in emergency rooms, nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

The science behind it
A study shows that individuals “who sit for long hours have an increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and even death.” These reasons alone should prompt all of us to get up out of our chairs and move – even if we only walk around the interior of the home. Sitting for long periods of time can increase the likelihood of declining health.

Engaging in regular physical activity is something that simply makes good sense for anyone of any age. As we get older we tend to become more sedentary and knowing that getting involved in regular activity can help keep us healthy and living longer is certainly a great reason for getting up out of the chair and taking a walk!

Any level of physical activity can help take away the negative effects that sitting cause because in some cases, our jobs might require us to be in front of a computer screen or performing other tasks in a seated position. We need to combat that by taking breaks throughout the day to walk around our cubicle or workspace and get some stretching exercises in.

Diet and exercise can help curb obesity and help us live longer, healthier lives. If, however, you’re a caregiver charged with taking care of an old or ailing parent or family member, you may worry about them overdoing it or even falling and getting injured while trying to be active. If this is the case and your relatives live alone, consider a personal medical emergency device as these are equipped with a GPS tracking device in the event your relative likes to take long walks and suffers an injury, illness or fall.

Take some time in the next few days to truly monitor your activity level. Start slow. Get out of the chair and move around the house every half an hour for at least three minutes. You could walk in place, walk around the interior of the house or even go outside for a short walk, weather and health permitting.

If you worry about your aging or ill relatives and their level of activity, talk with their doctor and see what they can do to minimize the effects of being sedentary. Also, look into a personal medical device as this might offer them the peace of mind necessary to move around, or go outside for a walk because they will know that with this device, they are never truly alone because they can summon help at the push of a button!