In a world where sitting has become the new smoking, our sedentary lifestyles are wreaking havoc on our bodies without us even realizing it. So, let’s dive into the deep end of this pool of comfy couches and binge-worthy shows to understand why we need to
“get up, stand up… for your bum’s sake.”
Picture this: you’ve had a long day at work, glued to your computer screen for hours on end. As you finally clock out, what do you do? Most likely, you plop down on your sofa with a bag of crisps in one hand and the TV remote in the other. Sounds familiar? Well, you’re not alone.
We live in an era where screens rule our lives – from work tasks to entertainment indulgence. And while technology has made our lives more convenient, it has also turned us into a nation of couch potatoes. But what harm could a little lounging around possibly do?
Enter the “Netflix Bum,
” a term coined to shed light on the consequences of prolonged sitting. This modern-day affliction is not just about feeling lazy or unmotivated; it’s about putting your health at risk without even realizing it.
According to physical activity researcher Professor Corneel Vandelanotte, “
Prolonged sitting is associated with a wide range of health risks…it can also negatively impact mental health and increase the risk of premature death.
” Quite alarming, isn’t it? But before you panic and toss your beloved recliner out the window, let’s delve deeper into why this happens.
The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated this issue as lockdowns forced many people to stay indoors and glued to their screens more than ever before. With limited options for outdoor activities or gym visits, sitting became our default mode – leading to what experts now call the “
pandemic posterior phenomenon.
”
Professor Vandelanotte revealed that the average Australian adult spends over six hours daily staring at screens. That’s more time than we spend sleeping! And that’s where things start going downhill for our bodies.
But fret not! The cavalry is here in the form of new 24-hour movement guidelines set to be rolled out soon. These guidelines aim to strike a balance between sitting time, physical activity, and sleep – essentially pulling us out of our sedentary slump.
So how can we combat this looming threat of Netflix Bum? It starts with small changes like taking regular breaks from sitting (yes, even during intense Bridgerton marathons) and incorporating more movement into our daily routines.
As we navigate through this digital age where screens dominate every aspect of our lives, remember these words: “
Get off your arse!” Let’s break free from the shackles of sedentarism and reclaim our health one step at a time.
And who knows? Maybe one day we’ll look back at this period as the turning point when we decided that standing up for ourselves – quite literally – was worth every effort in the fight against Netflix Bum.
