Couch Potatoes and Chiropractors
By Janin Hendry
It is so hard to motivate yourself to exercise after work. You are not the only one that finds coming home from work and crashing in front of the television or streaming media service as a small slice of heaven. The days of hard physical labor are dwindling, so chances are you leave your desk job to come home to a couch.
A lack of physical activity is a reoccurring theme of people of all ages and backgrounds. Finding a safe place to exercise or time is getting more difficult. Being a couch potato is an enjoyable way to spend your time, but it is slowly killing you.
What Happens to Your Body?
Long periods of sitting at a computer or in front of a television are very hard on your body. You might not think that relaxing can hurt your body, but it does. Your body is not designed to be inactive for long periods.
Muscle deterioration - Muscle deterioration is something you might not immediately notice. As you spend more time on the couch, your muscles lose their ability to be reactive and supportive of your body. You will find yourself having more difficulty moving as you choose and have a slower reaction time.
Pain - Pain is not something you may associate with relaxation, but it is common in inactive bodies. Your body will have more trouble with blood flow and will experience more discomfort due to less activity. In particular, you will find more pain in your back and hips from the lack of support you receive from a couch or easy chair.
Sleep disturbances - Sleeping is already difficult with ambient light from devices, noise from cities, and out-of-control neighbors, but lack of movement is associated with poorer quality sleep and more sleep disturbances. Sitting does not challenge your body, and not everything you are watching challenges your mind making it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep.
Weight gain - When you are inactive, you are more likely to make poor food choices and consequently gain weight. If you are trying to lose weight, you should start with losing your couch.
How Can Visiting a Chiropractor Help?
Visiting your chiropractor can be a step towards taking back control over your life. They can help you work your way to better health by developing treatment plans that help you to meet your goals.
Pain management - Your chiropractor can help you to manage body pain by spinal manipulations or target care to particular areas of your body.
Stress reduction - Stress does a lot of damage to your body. Visiting a chiropractor regularly can help you to reduce stress and find healthier ways of managing it.
Sleep improvement - Sleep is something your body and brain needs to heal after the daily grind. They can help you relax more easily without a couch and find comfort in more stable sleep patterns.
Final Thoughts
Sitting in front of a computer or on a couch too long is detrimental to your long-term health. Visiting a chiropractor can help you manage pain, reduce stress, and get yourself off the couch more.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic Clinic in Fayetteville, Ark.