Numerous studies have shown that a sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy. It is definitely not good to spend the bulk of your awake time sitting or lying on a couch or chair in front of a television or computer, moving only occasionally to get something to eat or drink. A sedentary lifestyle also includes sitting in a vehicle all day: long distance truck drivers, bus drivers, taxi drivers, etc. … or sitting behind a desk all day long. People who don’t use their bodies for long periods of time find it harder and harder to move around as time goes by.
Everyone should get out of their chairs, get off their couches, shut off the television and computer and get moving. The more moving we all do, the healthier we’ll become.
Here are some practical tips to change these sedentary lifestyle habits from unhealthy to much healthier:
Walking
The easiest way to keep healthy and keep moving is to walk. One of the best habits to get into is to take a long walk after dinner. Many couples have started to acquire the habit. Getting out of the house after a meal is a great time to talk about the day, solve problems, bond more and reduce any stress that might have built up during the day. A brisk walk is great for the heart and great to keep the muscles working and gain more strength. It doesn’t take much effort to go for a walk, and it’s easy to find a buddy to go along with you if you don’t have one already.
Biking
Another great way to get some much needed exercise is to go for a bike ride. Bike rides allow anyone to see some beautiful scenery and just get away from it all for an hour or two. You can head out in any direction. You can follow bike paths, which are growing in popularity in many places, or you can find quieter roads away from busy traffic so that you can have a peaceful yet stimulating ride. It’s great for the mind and body. And you never know what nature will bring your way during your rides.
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