Moving your legs while sitting is actually beneficial for your health

Your feet can't stay still when you sit? This habit can sometimes disturb the people around you. Your parents may have repeatedly reminded you to sit quietly. However, did you know that moving your legs while sitting has various health benefits? Especially if you are the type of person who sits down everyday. Immediately see the full explanation below if you don't believe it!

The danger of sitting down too long

Although the impact is not immediately felt, over time sitting has a high risk for your health. In addition to back pain due to slouching posture, you also have an increased risk of having a stroke, heart attack, or diabetes.

Lack of sitting accompanied by a lack of physical activity can also lead to obesity, muscle weakness, reduced bone density, and decreased concentration and cognitive function of the brain. If your daily lifestyle is also unhealthy, for example, you smoke and drink alcohol in excess, sitting too long can also lead to death.

Benefits of moving your legs while sitting

Unfortunately, some people simply have no choice but to sit at their desk all day long. If you do sit all day long, there is one way to prevent all the dangers that may occur as a result of sitting too long. Yes, the way is to move the legs while sitting.

According to a recent study conducted by experts at the University of Missouri School of Medicine, deliberately moving the legs while sitting can improve blood circulation and protect the health of the arteries, especially in the legs. Smooth blood circulation is the key to preventing various diseases, such as peripheral artery disease.

1. Prevent peripheral artery disease

Peripheral artery disease is caused by plaque buildup in the arteries. This plaque buildup causes the arteries to narrow. As a result, blood cannot flow to certain parts of the body, especially the legs (from the groin to the tips of the feet). Symptoms include pain or cramping in the legs, especially when you get up from your seat and walk.

Based on the observations of experts in the American Journal of Physiology's Heart and Circulatory Physiology, moving the legs while sitting can trigger blood circulation to the lower legs due to muscle activity. Because the muscles become more active and the blood flow heavier, there is quite intense friction on the arteries. This is useful for preventing plaque buildup.

2. Burn calories

Another study by the American Association for the Advancement of Science in the journal Science revealed that moving your legs while sitting can help burn calories. This simple leg movement is certainly not enough to replace sports and physical activity that the body needs. However, if you do it often enough, in a day you can burn up to 350 calories or the equivalent of a plate of vegetable hodgepodge.

Burning calories can prevent obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. So instead of just sitting around all day, moving your legs is a healthier option.

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