The term “couch potato” refers to someone who may hit the gym or exercise daily but spends most of their wake hours sitting. Sitting for extended periods can lead to cardiovascular disease and poor mood, among other health problems. 

Being an active couch potato can also make it difficult to control your blood pressure. As an added risk factor for several diseases, a sedentary lifestyle can also lead to weight gain. 

Throughout the day, it is recommended to maintain optimal levels of physical activity. The common misconception is that exercising every morning will counteract the side effects of sedentary living. However, it’s not true. 

An active couch potato can follow any routine, but a large part of their day is spent sitting. This article discusses tips to help you avoid becoming one and improve your quality of life.

Why Is Being Inactive Dangerous?

In recent years, studies have shown that if you sit for most of the day or don’t move enough, it is not good for your health even if you exercise regularly. You will end up developing all the health risks associated with an inactive lifestyle if you are an active couch potato, including weight gain, which can further lead to obesity. Coronary artery disease and heart attack. 

The effects of not moving enough extend beyond your physical health and can exacerbate your anxiety and depression. This can further lead to problems like substance abuse. If you see yourself going in that direction, stop yourself now and get inpatient services from rehab facilities like Delphi. For more information, visit their website www.delphihealthgroup.com.

Sedentary lifestyles can also increase the risk of premature death. And the more inactive you are, the more health risks you face.

8 Ways to Avoid Being a Couch Potato

Cold rainy days signal an end to summer’s mild days, which makes us crave staying indoors. This can lead to laziness. 

When you have no motivation to do anything, you just want to lie on the couch, watch TV, and munch on some snacks. Although it’s okay to do it from time to time, you should avoid making it a habit.

Here are eight tips for enjoying decent weather and staying active. 

1. Get together with friends

You might just want to curl up on the couch with a bottle of wine and your favorite pair of PJs after a long day at work. It’s better to plan in advance and schedule some catch-ups with your best friends than to fall into that trap time and time again. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to catch up with old friends or enjoy a night out.

2. Make a routine for yourself

You can spend less time daydreaming in front of the TV if you set a set routine and a regular bedtime for yourself. By putting together a schedule for your day, you will be able to be more productive and accomplish more. In order to succeed, you need to be organized.

3. Make healthier snack choices

It’s best not to reach for the easy snacks or, even worse, the takeaway if you decide to stay in and watch TV. 

Why not give alternatives a try? You can snack on some fruit instead of eating bar after bar of chocolate, or you can eat popcorn instead of a big bag of crisps. 

What about having a small cooking party in your own home and making your own egg-fried rice and chips so that you don’t have to rely on a takeaway? All you need to do is take baby steps in the right direction.

4. Take up a new hobby

If something tickles your fancy, why not try it out if it’s new and exciting? Become fluent in a foreign language, learn how to make cocktails, or go to one of your nearest dance classes. As a result, you will be able to meet new friends and can get out of the house more often.

5. Visit a local event

A lot of cool and exciting events are available in the states that are both cheap to attend, better yet, free to attend. And while you are at it, you can enjoy the good weather.

Get hold of some friends and head out to watch an outdoor movie or go to a concert. You can also try outdoor yoga on Saturday morning. There is an endless list of things you can do.

6. Don’t go to the gym alone

Working out isn’t so hard when you have someone to motivate you. With a friend by your side, you both can encourage one another to keep going. Additionally, a friend will know exactly how you feel after a workout, so you can vent to them and work together to reach your fitness goals. 

Remember that exercising releases those ‘feel-good’ endorphins that give you a sense of accomplishment. 

7. Avoid binge-watching series 

The most important thing about soaps and series is that they are extremely addictive since they offer thrills, excitement, and your favorite actors. There is nothing more convenient to do than binge-watch series after series on Netflix all at once, as it is easy entertainment. To top it off, when you sit in front of the TV for such a long time, you are bound to get hungry and consume anything you see in front of you. It won’t take long for those extra pounds to start creeping on. 

To avoid this habit, watch one or two episodes per day and try to break up your habit of watching a lot of episodes. At the very least, it will make the much-loved series last for a little while longer.

8. Unwind by trying new things

As humans, it is not uncommon for us to spend hours staring at our phones and telling ourselves that by doing so, we are ‘relaxing’ after a long day at work. 

If you do not wish to become a couch potato, try out some other ways to relax instead. Put on some music, take a relaxing bath, apply some face masks, and unwind while listening to some music. You could also try cooking or baking as a way to relax. That way, at the end of the day, you’ll be able to enjoy something delicious to eat.

Conclusion

Do you spend a lot of time sitting? Sitting for long hours is detrimental to your health in many ways. According to WHO, sedentary lifestyles increase the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and more. Furthermore, it can affect your mental health and increase your likelihood of becoming depressed or anxious. To avoid becoming a couch potato, follow these tips mentioned above and lead a healthy lifestyle.