28 Oct 2019
![Move It Or Lose It: The Dangers Of An Inactive Lifestyle teaser]()
Human beings have a problem. Our big brains have enabled us to invent a whole range of things that make our lives easier than ever before. Cars, trains, plains, computers, smartphones, UberEats, online shopping, Netflix - things have never been so convenient and hassle-free!
“But why is this a problem?” we hear you ask. Well, the issue is that - in evolutionary terms - this change has taken place really quickly. Physically speaking, we’re still the super-smart apes that are adapted to doing a lot of physical activity. We didn’t evolve to sit in front of computers all day typing and then go home and spend several hours sitting on the couch watching TV.
This is why an inactive lifestyle is so dangerous and can lead to a whole host of serious health issues. When it comes to your employees, it’s no secret that a happy and healthy workforce is a more productive and profitable one, so anything you can do to combat the negative effects of an inactive lifestyle (such as implementing a corporate fitness program) is a great investment.
If you work in an industry where people are sedentary for long periods of time - such as a typical office environment - them make sure you check out this blog to learn about the dangers of an inactive lifestyle and how they can be combatted with an effective corporate fitness program.
How Inactivity Affects Your Body
As we mentioned before, humans have evolved to be great at doing lots and lots of physical activity. Being inactive is actually quite an unnatural way to live, so it’s not surprising to learn that it can have a whole range of negative effects on your body.
These negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle can include:
- The loss of muscle strength and endurance.
- Burning fewer calories and gaining weight.
- A lower metabolism (which can mean you have more trouble breaking down fats and sugars).
- A less effective immune system.
- Increased levels of inflammation.
- Poor blood circulation.
- Hormonal imbalances.
The Health Risks Of Inactivity
So we’ve covered the negative physical effects of a sedentary lifestyle, but what are the health risks involved, and how can a corporate fitness program help you mitigate them?
When it comes to your health, not getting enough physical activity in your life can drastically increase your risk of conditions such as:
- Obesity
- Heart disease (including heart attack and coronary heart disease)
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Metabolic syndrome
- Type 2 diabetes
- Mental health issues (such as depression and anxiety)
- Cancer (including colon, breast and uterine cancer)
- Osteoporosis
The Importance Of Corporate Fitness Programs
Given how disastrous inactivity can be for your employees’ health, happiness and productivity levels, anything you can do to combat it is a great investment in the long term success of your organisation.
It also doesn’t mean that you have to start off every workday with an intensive hour-long aerobics session. Numerous studies have shown that even short bursts of physical activity - if performed regularly - can have a hugely positive impact on your health and wellbeing.
Beyond that, implementing a corporate wellness program signals to your employees that you genuinely care about their health and wellbeing. This in itself can help to boost morale, increase productivity levels and reduce staff turnover (and its associated costs).
Let Us Help You Activate Your Workforce
At On-site Stress Management, we have extensive experience tailoring corporate fitness programs for a wide range of different organisations. That means that we can come up with the right program that’s going to activate your workforce, reduce the harmful effects of inactivity and provide a real boost to your bottom line.
Get in touch with us today to find out more
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