Are you among those people who do not smoke but are still prone to diseases? It is generally said that smokers are surrounded by diseases, but this is not necessary. Even if you are doing a sitting job to avoid the scorching sun or the hustle and bustle, you can still fall prey to diseases.

Dr. I Min Lee, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, has considered a sedentary lifestyle a threat to health. Although the habit of sitting and smoking affect health in different ways, some studies believe that there are some similarities between the two. So let’s know how sitting is similar to smoking and how it harms health.

Sitting for 8 hours is as dangerous as smoking

Sitting for more than 8 hours increases the risk of death

Research shows that sitting for more than 6 to 8 hours a day can lead to premature death. According to Dr. Mohit Sharma, Senior Consultant, Department of Internal Medicine, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, a meta analysis published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine found that sitting in one place for a long time like a lazy person can increase the risk of heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes as well as premature death.

The risk of heart disease increases by 40-50 percent

Experts believe that sitting for more than 8 hours a day increases the risk of death by 34 percent. Especially if a person smokes 1 to 5 cigarettes a day, then the risk of heart disease can increase by 40-50 percent compared to those who do not smoke. According to the study, if 60-75 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity is done daily, then it helps in avoiding the damage caused by sitting.

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Sitting for 8 hours is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes

You will be surprised to know that sitting for 8 hours continuously is compared to smoking 10-15 cigarettes every week. According to the doctor, the negative effects of smoking are visible on the body very quickly, while sitting causes chronic and long-lasting health problems. Both habits harm a person’s lifestyle, so small changes should be made in routine habits.

These diseases are caused by sitting for long

damage to mental health

Apart from cancer, sitting for long hours also has a negative effect on mental health. Sitting for long hours without taking a break causes feelings like depression and anxiety in a person. In such a situation, a person must take a break from his/her work for every 30 minutes. During this time, he/she can drink water or take a walk in the office itself.

Cholesterol level increases

If you work sitting in one place for hours in order to finish your work quickly, then symptoms of high cholesterol i.e. bad cholesterol can appear in the body. High LDL cholesterol is responsible for cardiovascular disease. Experts advise that it is very important to monitor cholesterol levels regularly to keep the heart healthy.

Ways to get rid of the habit of sitting

– People who are physically active every day should also keep walking.
– Keep taking breaks from work in between. If you want, you can set a timer.
Use an adjustable desk so you can work both standing and sitting.
– You can use a medicine ball instead of a chair to sit. This will keep the core muscles active
– Instead of taking the lift, use the stairs as much as possible.
– While watching TV at home, get up and take a walk in between episodes to keep your body active.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It cannot in any way be a substitute for any medicine or treatment. Always consult your doctor for more information.

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Harvard doctor warns, sitting for 8 hours every day is as dangerous as smoking cigarettes, these organs will get damaged first