Have you ever heard about the term ‘sedentary lifestyle’? For those of you who do not want to move too much, the term is very appropriate to describe your lifestyle. A sedentary lifestyle is a habit of someone who prefers to be lazing on the bed or the couch without doing any activity. Of course, such a lifestyle is not good for health. This lifestyle can increase the risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Not only that, but the lifestyle can also cause mental disorders.

In a pandemic like today, all activities have to be done from home. It is undeniable, feeling 'comfortable' at home makes some of us feel lazier. Spending time on the bed or sitting on the couch, watching tv became a new habit during the 'quarantine' period. Unfortunately, these habits can actually affect your mood and increase your BMI (Body Mass Index).

According to the results of a recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers found that doing light activities during the day or choosing to sleep rather than watching TV at night is better to improve your mood. Light activity is known to help you reduce stress and BMI levels. Instead of spending time sitting on the couch and watching tv, there's nothing wrong if you move to clean your house or cook. It seems trivial, but such light activity is better for your body than sitting for hours.

Many studies have shown that light activity can have a positive effect on health. In the quarantine period like today, it doesn't hurt for you to 'move' a little than spending hours on the couch or lazing in bed. Cleaning the house, cooking, or gardening can be the right choice for you to do. Besides being good for your body, this light activity can also improve your mood.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Pixabay

Source(s):

• Meyer, J.D., Ellingson, L.D., Buman, M.P., et al (2020). Current and 1-Year Psychological and Physical Effects of Replacing Sedentary Time with Time in Other Behaviors. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2020.02.018.
• Medical News Today - Sedentary? Feel happier with sleep or light activity instead (2020). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/sedentary-feel-happier-with-sleep-or-light-activity-instead, 16 June 2020.