I know you can relate. You’ve likely sat through an entire sports game, movie, or back-to-back episode of a binge-able show. The time can pass in the blink of an eye.
But even though it seems like the time went nowhere, your body felt it. Your blood flow slowed down, and it maybe started to pool. Having this happen once in a while is no big deal, but if it’s happening all day every day with extended sits, you could be putting your heart and vein health at risk.
Being sedentary is not good for your circulatory system. It can boost the risk for varicose veins and worse, leading to pain and potential heart problems.
However, there is a relatively simple fix: move more.
More movement forces your heart to move blood through your blood vessels to help them stay malleable and functional, getting adequate levels of oxygenated blood to all of your organs and tissue.
Any exercise or type of movement is great. Go for a run, do some dancing, play in the garden, or go for a walk around the block. But it’s important to remember one thing: do it regularly.
I’m not talking about scheduling 30-45 minutes of exercise into your day – although that is a hugely beneficial routine. Instead, I mean get up for at least five minutes every hour and move around.
Sitting for extended periods, regardless of what you’ve done earlier in the day or are planning to do, can boost the risk for blood flow issues.
So when you’re settled in, remember to take a break. Do some work for yourself during a commercial break or between episodes. Just get up and do something to push that blood around instead of letting it pool!