Why You Should Be Aware of the Risks of Inactivity
Posted on: 15 October 2018
With the meteoric rise of the Internet, thousands of Australians find that they spend a lot of their daily time pecking away at a keyboard, as they earn their money from online activity. This type of work may be quite lucrative, and it's not surprising that it is so popular, but it doesn't come without its inherent risks associated with such a sedentary daily lifestyle. If you're in this position, what do you need to be aware of, so you can protect yourself from what could be, potentially, a serious medical condition?
Don't Be Inactive
Doctors have warned for years about the risks of inactivity and especially when it comes to circulation. When you sit down for extended periods of time, the heart will have difficulty in pumping blood through your arteries and veins to your extremities and in particular, the bottom of your legs. Due to this additional difficulty, blood can sometimes clog, and lead to a developing condition, known as deep vein thrombosis. This is a condition that can also affect people who travel long distances on planes and you should take steps to ensure that you avoid it.
Stand If You Can
It may not be possible to stand up at work, even though some organisations have developed desks that allow you to do so. You can nevertheless get downloadable timers that will "ping" at predetermined intervals, to warn you to get up and move around.
Dietary Changes
Also, you can tailor your diet so that you are in better condition generally, to help your circulation. Avoid eating junk food and drink plenty of water so that you are always hydrated. Perhaps you can drink some red wine that has properties known to help prevent blood clots, which could be a more pleasant habit to engage!
Exercise!
Whenever you find yourself seated for a long period of time and may not find it easy to get up and move around, try some exercises. You can do these when you are sitting in economy class at 30,000 feet, without disturbing any of your neighbours.
For example, wiggle your toes up and down and move your foot in a circular motion several times each way. Put your hands under your knees and pull gently upwards and inwards as far as you can, breathing slowly and rhythmically as you do.
What To Watch Out For
Always keep an eye on your legs as a general practice, to see if you notice anything unusual. Any swelling or elevated temperature that seems to persist for a while should be checked out by your doctor, who may refer you to a vascular surgeon for help.
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