- By Prerna Targhotra
- Wed, 20 Sep 2023 09:03 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Sitting and doing nothing seems to be the most relaxing practice, but is it so? Usually, the people with 9-5 jobs have to sit at their desks in a single position, completing their daily targets. Sitting in one place for prolonged hours at work may not be something that one can avoid, but being mindful of your health is equally important.
According to the Mayo Clinic, sitting for long periods can lead to obesity and a cluster of conditions such as increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and unhealthy cholesterol levels that make up metabolic syndrome. Too much sitting overall and prolonged periods of sitting also seem to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Therefore, here are some effective tips to practise if you are someone who sits for long hours.
Watch the video below to learn about importance of healthy eating for 9-5 professionals:
1. Move Frequently
If you are in a habit of sitting for long hours, then you need to begin moving more frequently. Stand up, stretch and walk around the room to prevent body pain and stiffness. Even if you work in a day for about 30 minutes, it is still important to get up and move around a few times throughout the day.
2. Take Breaks
Take breaks and stretch your body to reduce stiffness (Image Credits: Canva)
Taking breaks is an extremely healthy exercise that not only promotes productivity and creativity but also helps in maintaining a healthy body. Taking short and frequent breaks helps in reducing stress, makes you move around and converse with people within your proximity and enhances your overall mood.
ALSO READ: Unable To Focus? 4 Calming Breathing Exercises To Improve Concentration
3. Eye Exercises
Sitting for prolonged hours and staring continuously at the laptops or computers can put a strain on your eyes. Therefore, even if you are sitting, take 5 minutes to practise some easy eye exercises that will keep a check on your eye health. Eye exercises help in relaxing muscles, pain, and stiffness, and reduce eye fatigue.
4. Healthy Snacks
While you are at your workplace, bingeing on unhealthy snacks seems tempting. But it is important to make healthy choices to maintain your health. Therefore, always prefer healthy snacks to binge on while you are at work such as nuts and seeds, trail mix, granola, dried fruits, boiled eggs, yoghurt and many others.
ALSO READ: 5 Japanese Practices To Follow For A Happier And Prosperous Life
From eating healthy foods to breathing exercises, one can break the monotony of sitting for too long (Image Credits: Canva)
5. Breathing Exercises
Sitting for too many hours continuously can lead to body stiffness, and pain and alleviate stress levels. You can practise deep breathing exercises to reduce stress and stay calm, positive and rejuvenated. Breathing exercises help you concentrate on slow, deep breathing and aid you in disengaging from distracting thoughts and sensations, says Harvard Health.
(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.)