Do you sit at a desk on your computer all day, sit in a cube and make/answer phone calls or partake in laborious conference calls? Do you use an elevator or escalator in place of the stairs so you can get “there” faster? Is weight loss a struggle for you? While these technologies have enabled us to communicate instantly and increase our efficiency, they have also greatly reduced the need for people to get up and move! When did mobility become such a colossal waste of time?

I can’t help but point out the irony in how the film industry glorifies seemingly impossible feats of the human body to an audience that has become increasingly sedentary. The more advanced technology becomes, the more filmmakers can push the envelope and create mind-blowing action scenes that lead the audience to believe the human body is capable of seemingly superhuman movements. Ironically, the same technological advances that amaze us in the movie theater have led us to be more immobile than we ever have been in history. Try to imagine a life without computers and other modern time-saving conveniences—this life is almost unimaginable, especially to younger generations who were born in the midst of a technological revolution.

We have to keep in mind that our bodies are meant for motion! The human body did not evolve over thousands of years to sit at a desk and type all day…this may be how we “live” (a.k.a pay the bills) but it is certainly not how we as individuals will ultimately “survive.”

flickr user YoGeekMami

What can you do to survive the technologically dominated and increasingly sedentary era in which we live?

-Become conscious of your day-to-day activity level. Track the hours spent in front of a computer, TV or book. Define how you spend your time as sedentary vs. active.
-Opt for the mobile route. Walk to lunch with friends. Take the stairs. Park further away from your destination. Do push ups in your office. Take a walk on your lunch break. Drink lots of water, which will result in multiple trips to refill and use the restroom! Read more ideas from the American Heart Association about creative ways to increase daily activity.
-Enjoy your workout! Challenging your body will make it stronger, and who doesn’t enjoy the feeling of strength?
-STRETCH. Check out Annette Fletcher’s Stretch & Joint Mobility Therapy DVD.

If you think of your health as a personal matter, think again. Your health isn’t just about you—it’s about being there for your family, energizing your career and contributing to a healthy and productive community!

Cheers to Your Health!

Rach

Posted in Main at February 25th, 2010 by Rachel
Tags: health
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