April 20, 2023

Posture Impact on Health

We all know that having good posture is important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but do you know just how much of an impact it can have on your overall health? 

From reducing back pain to improving your mental health, the benefits of good posture are invaluable. In this article, we will explore the importance of maintaining the correct posture and how it can impact your health. 

Sedentary Lifestyle Increases Death Risk by 71%

A 2010 study with 184,190 participants showed that those who sit for more than 6 hours a day with low levels of physical activity have a 71% increase in mortality rate. Even with moderate to vigorous exercise four to seven hours a week, sitting non-stop for five to six hours a day still increases mortality rate by 50%. 

Physical inactivity is one of the leading causes of death and disability around the world. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 3.2 million people die each year due to insufficient physical activity and 32.1 million DALYs (Disability-Adjusted Life Years) are attributed to it. This results in about 2.1% of global DALYs. 

Furthermore, research shows that if you do not engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week you have an increased risk of all-cause mortality by 20 to 30%. 

Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining a healthy weight, which in turn helps to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even some cancers. 

Sedentary Lifestyle Increases Cancer Risks by up to 66%

Research showed that If you increase sitting time per day it will increase the risks of cancer up to 66%. Each 2-hour prolonging of sitting time can lead to 8% increasement of developing colon cancer, increased risk of endometrial cancer by 10% and 6% for lung cancer, respectively. Researchers consider limiting the time spent sitting is the most important action agains cancer development.

Prolonged Sitting Period is Connected to 112% Increase of Chance to Develop Diabetes

A study with 794,577 participants indicated that sedentary behavior is increasing chances to develop diabetes by 112%. Moreover, it was found that sedentary behavior causes a 147% increase for cardiovascular deseases, 90% increase for cardiovascular mortality and 49% increase of the risk of all-cause mortality.

Benefits of Good Sitting Posture

Good posture is an important part of overall health and well-being that many people overlook. The benefits of good posture are numerous, ranging from improved physical health to improved mental health. Physically, good posture can reduce neck, back, and joint pain, as well as headaches. It can also improve circulation and digestion, reduce fatigue, and improve balance and coordination. Additionally, good posture can help you appear more confident and change your image in your surroundings.

A study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that poor posture may lead to a lot of problems, including reduced range of motion, muscle fatigue, joint pain, and a decrease in performance. Poor posture has also been linked to other medical conditions, such as headaches, fatigue, and even depression. 

Top Tips How to Fix s Sedentary Lifestyle

The posture problem and prolonged sitting position needs to be addressed. By becoming more aware of our posture, monitoring our sitting position daily, and taking breaks once an hour, we can help reduce the risk of developing poor posture and the associated health risks.

  • Start from taking small steps - moving only 2 minutes in every 2 hours can reduce premature death risk by 33%!
  • Walk More - 5 minute walks throughout the work day can reverse health risks caused by prolonged sitting.
  • Take breaks and stand up during the working day, grab a cup of water or coffee to benefit your general health.
  • Change workstation - get adjustable desk to be able to work whale standing too.
  • Lastly, you can download https://sityea.io/ and get reminders and statistics about your sitting position, hours, and breaks. You won’t need to worry and spend more time about how to stick to a healthy lifestyle!

References:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/3-surprising-risks-of-poor-posture

https://www.barringtonortho.com/blog/the-importance-of-posture

https://ergonomictrends.com/sedentary-lifestyle-sitting-statistics/

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/07/220725105618.htm

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity

https://www.juststand.org/the-facts/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4499985/