This is what happens to your body when you are sitting all day

For many the day takes place in a chair, since they spend between eight and nine hours in the office, working behind a computer. To move, they use the car, where they continue to sit. Some people exercise in their free time, but most likely it is not enough to compensate for the damage.

This is not only the reality of some people. For the World Health Organization (WHO), these sedentary behaviors make inactivity a public health problem. As they point out, toAt least 60% of the world's population does not perform the physical activity necessary to obtain health benefits.

But what really happens to the body when we spend so much time sitting? Here we tell you what the experts say.

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• The spine weakens

By not moving your back for a long time, the spine loses flexibility. This makes you more likely to hurt yourself when doing other activities.

• Flabby buttocks

When you're sitting, your glutes do absolutely nothing and get used to it, becoming limp. This can damage your stability, the ability you have to move and to maintain a firm step.

• Muscular degeneration

The reduced movement of the abdominal muscles, in addition to keeping the back muscles tight, provokes a posture that exaggerates the natural arch of the spine. This generates a condition known as hyperlordosis.

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• Bad circulation in the legs

Sitting for a long time causes a slow circulation of blood. This causes the fluid to pool in the legs, which can cause varicose veins to deep vein thrombosis.

• The bones soften

While you keep moving, your bones thicken and strengthen. Sitting for a long time is related to problems such as osteoporosis, in which there is a decrease in bone mass.

• The brain does not work well

Moving stimulates the pumping of blood and oxygen through the brain, triggers the release of various chemicals and improves mood. When you spend a lot of time sitting, all this is reduced.

Simple ideas to get moving

The Spanish Heart Foundation points out that these are some simple activities that can help you combat sedentary lifestyle:

• Walk at least 30 minutes per day
• Change the car on the bicycle
• Change the elevator up the stairs
• Use the lunch schedule to go for a walk
• Exercise while watching television

And you, what do you do to combat sedentary lifestyle?

Fuentes:

Health 180

World Health Organization

Spanish Heart Foundation