Office work seems to have few physical requirements but can actually significantly affect health.
Sitting for long periods of time not only slows down your metabolism but can also lead to weight gain, bloating and prolonged fatigue, even if your diet and exercise are unchanged.
According to nutritionist Kanikka Malhotra (India), even if you exercise before or after work, sitting for long periods of time can slow down your metabolism and limit the amount of calories you burn.
When sitting, the body consumes much less energy than when standing or moving.
Ms. Malhotra emphasizes that sitting for long periods of time affects the body's ability to switch between burning carbohydrates and fat, increasing the risk of insulin resistance and heart disease.
Here are 6 warning signs that office work is negatively affecting the body:
Weight gain around the waist: Sitting for a long time reduces calorie burn, promoting belly fat accumulation.
High blood pressure: Long periods of sitting at a table can increase pressure on the heart and blood vessels.
High blood sugar: Lack of exercise makes it difficult for the body to process sugar, increasing the risk of prediabetes.
High cholesterol: Sitting for long periods of time can easily increase bad cholesterol and triglycerides, which are linked to heart disease.
Always feel tired: A slow metabolism can make you exhausted, even if you get enough sleep.
Muscle weakness: Muscles, especially the legs and torso, can weaken, further slowing down metabolism.
To improve overall health, Ms. Malhotra suggests small but effective adjustments such as standing up or walking for a few minutes every 2030 minutes of sitting, doing desercise exercises such as squats or leg raises while sitting, and maintaining a good sitting position.
In addition, eating time is also important, so eat a main meal early in the day instead of late at night to balance your body's circadian rhythm, according to IndianExpress.
These habits not only help burn calories and control blood sugar but also improve circulation, build muscle, reduce fatigue and prevent long-term harmful effects from sitting too much.
Maintaining an active lifestyle, even when working in an office, is the key to protecting your health and maintaining a stable weight.
