Common Health Risks of an Inactive Lifestyle and What You Can Do About it

How one lives their life directly and significantly affects their health. There’s no denying that modernization has provided convenience and comfort to all people. However, one downside that everyone can easily see is an inactive lifestyle. If you have everything within an arm’s stretch, there’s little to do. 

However, you should understand that an inactive lifestyle doesn’t only affect physical health but also psychological well-being. It can lead to less motivation and eventually fewer reasons to work out to improve health. With that said, here are four risks they might develop from an inactive lifestyle and what they can do about it to prevent further health problems from happening.

Obesity

First on this list is obesity. Obesity or significant weight gain directly results from an inactive lifestyle where a person can have too much sitting. A sedentary lifestyle only burns fewer calories so it can store too much. This can result in obesity if you consume high amounts of foods rich in fats and sugars, which produce energy but move a little. 

So, your body stores the surplus energy and absorbs it into the body as fat. It’s a medical problem that can make you more vulnerable to other illnesses, which are usually much worse. To prevent obesity, the primary thing you can do is to decide to eat healthier foods. Limit yourself from eating excessively salty foods, sweets, processed meat, sugary drinks, and junk foods. 

While at home, try to limit your screen time and walk around the house. You can also consider cleaning around the house to minimize your “sit time” at home.  Increase the time you spend being active to prevent a sedentary lifestyle.

High Cholesterol

Although obesity and high cholesterol are similar, not all obese people have high cholesterol. You should understand that many people have high cholesterol and possess an average weight. Conversely, some are obese that have normal cholesterol. So, you shouldn’t be too complacent about not having high cholesterol if you have an inactive lifestyle. You’re highly at risk of high cholesterol if you have a sedentary life.

Having too much cholesterol in the blood can cause plaque to form on walls of your arteries. These plaques can obstruct blood flow, in a condition known as atherosclerosis. Too much of this plaque can eventually lead to coronary artery disease, narrowing these arteries until they’re blocked. That’s why there are many cases of people dying due to heart attacks caused by high cholesterol.

What you can do is get an immediate examination from your healthcare provider. They might give you common cholesterol  prescriptions to keep your cholesterol in check. On top of that, you should start formulating an effective workout focusing on cardio to help your heart.

Stroke

An inactive lifestyle can also put you at risk of stroke. Stroke is one of the scariest types of illness that a person can have. It can result in complete paralysis, and some people have a hard time with recovery. As a result, they’re usually bound to their bed for a long time. A stroke results from a loss of blood flow to the part of the brain; because of this, your brain cells can’t get the required amount of oxygen and nutrients and slowly die.

A sedentary life can increase the fatty material in the arteries. It’s important to note that these arteries carry blood to your heart, and if it’s blocked or damaged, it can lead to a heart attack, and the usual consequence of a heart attack is a stroke.

A regular check-up can help you be aware of the current condition of your heart. Your doctor will then provide you with things you should be careful of. One definite thing you must consider doing is to start exercising. So, if you’ve been inactive for a long time, you can start slowly. Then, gradually increase your exercise frequency.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a disease where your blood sugar (glucose) is too high. Insulin is a hormone your body produces that helps the blood sugar enter the body’s cells for energy consumption. If you have Type 2 diabetes, your body won’t be able to produce enough of this hormone. 

In line with this, you should know that diabetes can put your health at risk for many other diseases. It’s as if having diabetes is only the tip of the iceberg, and if you’re not doing anything to improve your condition, you’ll be at higher risk of more heart attacks, strokes, and other equally dangerous diseases, which can eventually kill you.

You can prevent type 2 diabetes by having an active lifestyle and a healthy meal plan. You don’t have to work out every day, but a regular workout every other day can effectively lower your chances of being at risk of diabetes as you burn more of the glucose and calories instead of storing them as fat. Also, don’t forget to visit your doctor for a thorough check-up to ensure you’re safe from this type of disease and guide you to a healthier lifestyle.

Final Thoughts

It’s wonderful that the current times have made lives more manageable. However, it’s still important to remember that you still have your health you need to keep in mind. A sedentary life wouldn’t just make your life any healthier. The risks mentioned above can be prevented by making good dietary choices and maintaining an active lifestyle.