Readers often share that they suffer with a compromised respiratory system. Do you often breathe in short, shallow breaths? Does it hurt to breathe deeply? What about your cardiovascular system? Is it as healthy as it could be? A subtle but destructive problem could be sitting right in front of you … or, more accurately, beneath.
As most of you know, I wrote my book, FibroWHYalgia, after I went through my own health journey and was able to heal a majority of my fibromyalgia symptoms. Through years of trial and error (which I detail in my book), I was able to come up with a combination of nutritional, body movement, and stress-management practices that helped me to heal from the inside out.
But I’m careful to mention that I am not “cured.” Fibromyalgia is definitely still present and sends me reminders (a.k.a. increased pain) when I veer off my own prescribed health path. I’m very grateful for this obvious reminder system because it helps me to stay proactive and take action to make changes when needed.
However, I do have one significant ongoing health concern.
Not only do I have fibromyalgia, I also make my living as a writer. That’s a VERY sedentary career choice. And, as a subset of that problem, I’m a very passionate writer. I easily get caught up in research and writing, losing track of time. Just this past Friday, I put the finishing touches on an article that was on a fascinating topic. I sat down at my desk at 6:30 am and was pleased to send it off to my editor at … 2:50 pm.
Yep – I sat in a near comatose position for 8.5 hours. Give or take. I did run downstairs for about 30 minutes to eat, and I probably refilled my water bottle at least twice and used the restroom.
But, you get the point.
Whether from physical disability (chronic illness) or career choice, sitting as a health risk is very real, very destructive, and a potentially disastrous position for the body.
More and more studies are taking place regarding the negative impact of sitting. Here’s a shocking finding from cardiologists at the UT Southwestern medical center, “Sedentary behaviors may lower cardiorespiratory fitness levels. New evidence suggests that two hours of sedentary behavior can be just as harmful as 20 minutes of exercise is beneficial.”
To read more on this study – check out the details HERE.
Yikes! Daily, I do make a point to move my body on my rebounder, my elliptical, by walking, or other various activities. But I sure don’t want to throw my progress into reverse by sitting too long.
Here’s an interesting point about energy. I’m asked (all the time!) for tips on how to get increased energy. We all want more. From here on in, I plan to ask my own question in response: How many hours per day do you sit? Because –
Sitting expends almost
ZERO energy … and
it doesn’t make energy either.
To add insult to injury, there’s also a significant connection between pain and posture. It’s one thing to sit for long periods, but it’s quite another to sit in a hunched or compromised position.
A slouched, rounded shoulder seated position is the nemesis to proper breathing. If you’d like to know more about short, shallow breathing, you can check out this informative site.
I vividly remember the experience of pain so intense that any movement was agony. But, staying still and not moving isn’t a solution. In fact, it only makes the pain worse.
So, what can we do? Here are five quick tips to jump in and try today.
1) Set a simple timer to remind you to move your body at least every 30 minutes. Get up. Walk. Stretch. Do a simple fitness routine. Or at the very least, get up, breathe deeply and roll your shoulders.
2) Make your work space as posture-friendly as possible. Getting up to make copies, file something, or use your printer is a good thing. Be grateful for these “inconveniences” as they make you move. Is standing more often a possibility? You may even try standing on one leg at a time and/or with knees slightly bent to relieve the pressure on the lower spine.
3) Check your posture. Whether sitting, standing, walking, or whatever – check to see that you’re using proper body mechanics.
4) Don’t forget to drink plenty of clean, pure, filtered water. Pain relief is but one result of a properly hydrated body!
5) Be sure to incorporate fun activities that help you to move more frequently. Dance, garden, walk, do yoga and tai chi. Whatever moves you – soothes you.
Could sitting be a problem for you? Is it compromising your health? Maybe you have some wonderful tips to share on this subject – do tell! Share below so we can all benefit!
Are you interested in tips on how foods relate to your PAIN? Grab your FREE Stop Feeding Yourself PAIN guide here!
