Do you find yourself sitting idle often? Here’s how it can wreck your mental health

Not so long ago, I decided to drive my old car after months of ignoring it for the new one—only to be faced with a rude shock! This once-perfectly-silent-and-well-behaved vehicle not only made disturbing sounds, but it also moved in the opposite direction. This wrecked car is exactly how your mental health functions when left unattended.

Yes, ladies, sitting idle, living a sedentary lifestyle, with absolutely no motivation, no work, no movement can hugely impact your mental health and negatively so.

How though?
Well, as per a study published in BMC Public Health, sedentary behaviour can increase the risk of anxiety. 

Backing this observation, Dr Sandeep Govil, Psychiatrist, Saroj Super Speciality Hospital, warns, “Sitting idle for longer duration can lead to anxiety, depression, poor thinking capacity, loss of concentration, and even decline in memory. Such ailments can build up into serious complications like forgetfulness, loss of attention, and severe anxiety and depression.”

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Unfortunately, the symptoms of idleness are to blame for this mess
They say, an empty mind is a devil’s workshop and this saying is true to the core.

Basically, sitting for a long duration involves repetitive thinking, slow-moving emotions, and sometimes a negative-thinking pattern. These in turn sitting idle can give birth to serious mental health issues according to Dr Gorav Gupta, Psychiatrist, Tulsi Health Care. 

He further adds that sedentary lifestyle choices like sitting or lying down, which involves little or no physical activity lowers the blood circulation in the body and can make you slow—even mentally.

But relax, girls! There’s always a way out
If you identified with the symptoms above, you obviously know your mental health is in a soup. However, you can still keep the soup from boiling and screwing things further by dealing with the problem the way Dr Sandeep Govil, Psychiatrist, Saroj Super Speciality Hospital suggests:

1. Engage in a physical activity
From running to dancing to playing your favourite sport, whatever it is that interests you can work till the time you’re moving and keeping your blood circulation going.

2. Practice mindfulness
Doing yoga or meditation for 15-30 minutes a day won’t just help you gain perspective and decide what to do with that extra time of yours, but can also make it easier for you to deal with all that anxiety and stress too.

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3. Eat healthy, sleep healthy
A lifestyle change involving the consumption of a balanced diet and getting adequate sleep of approximately 7-8 hours too can help eliminate stressful thoughts. Add foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids and protein in your diet and you will see a difference gradually for sure.

4.Seek support
Spending time with family and friends can make you feel nurtured, supported, and secure.

In fact, sharing and communicating your problem will make sure you’re able to vent out your ill feelings and give you the strength to start afresh.