"Horrific dangers that cause panic," this was Dr. Ingo Frobuse's comment on the results of research conducted at the German Institute for Sports Rehabilitation at the University of Cologne on long-term sitting damage to the body, and showed that it "raises blood sugar to very high levels," according to the Deutsche Welle site.

Not only that, but those who sit long have higher rates of heart disease and are less old even if they exercise regularly. According to Dr. Beth Frits, of Harvard Medical School, "Even if you train an hour a day, there is still a high risk of heart disease, if you sit for eight hours a day."

It is no wonder, then, that sitting for a long time is called a "new smoking" because of the dangers it poses, not less than the dangers of smoking, that may extend to all parts of the body.

The effect of sitting for long periods

Refraining from smoking, dieting and exercising daily, does not guarantee that those who sit for long periods will enjoy good health. According to research by Dr. Keith Diaz of Columbia University Medical Center, prolonged sitting may cause premature death even with daily exercise, and that lack of movement poses significant health risks, not least obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.

However, the problem is not only the length of the sitting, but also his position. The national survey released by the Florida Health Care Network (Orlando Health) in 2019 found that fewer than half of Americans are concerned about the health consequences of sitting up wrong while using their mobile device.

Nathaniel Melendez, a specialist at the Health Training Center in Orlando, says that the wrong sitting of a person who spends about 4 hours a day on a smartphone can cause chronic neck spasm, back and joint pain, heartburn and digestive problems.

"Any slight imbalance in the posture, while sitting at a desk, gazing at the smartphone, or relaxing on the sofa, can cause big problems," added Melendez. "Every inch of your head moving in front of your body bears 10 pounds of pressure on your shoulders," he added. For example, "When your head moves 4 inches in front of your body to look at the phone or read a book, this equals the weight of a child sitting on your shoulders all the time."

"This poor posture affects the blood circulation in the body, which can lead to a feeling of decreased energy and fatigue," Melendez stresses.

The body is a victim of psychological pressure

The effects of psychological stress on sweating, heartbeat, stomach cramps, and feeling tired due to its effect on your mood “make adrenaline always put you on the edge of passion, and get angry with less provocation,” says Alison Nicole Englan, a mental health specialist at UHealth USA. The resulting stress also leads to headache and neck and back pain, according to the American Psychological Association.

There are reports that stress may "cause damage to the heart and blood vessels, such as a broken heart syndrome that resembles a heart attack in terms of chest pain and shortness of breath," according to the Cleveland Clinic.

In the long run, high levels of stress hormones may lead to chronic high blood pressure, which can cause arteriosclerosis, kidney failure and sexual dysfunction, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

In a study published in 2014, it was found that "psychological stress can exacerbate psoriasis, eczema and acne. It may also delay wound healing and cause premature skin aging."

Psychological stress also affects the functioning of the digestive system "as it leads to constipation, nausea, diarrhea and irritable bowel problems," says Ann Taylor Pittman, health and nutrition specialist. "In addition to problems with the digestive system, stress can dampen appetite and cause weight loss," she added. But at the same time, "feelings of anxiety and uncertainty for some may increase the appetite for fast food and sugars, which contributes to increasing their weight," according to the Mayo Clinic website.

Lack of sleep is slow suicide

Although the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that adults sleep 7 hours every night, 35% of adults do not adhere to this minimum, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), despite the negative impact of this on almost every part of the body. Sleepiness:

Makes the eyes swell red and red, leaving dark circles below, according to a 2013 study.

- It leads to overeating in the evening and then weight gain, according to a study conducted in 2019.

- It leads to stomach pain and indigestion, "because food will not find enough natural secretions to digest it, delaying its absorption and causing problems," according to Dr. Anil Rama of the Stanford Center for Sleep Science and Medicine.

The immune system is disrupted, according to a study conducted in 2015, which showed that people who slept for less than 6 hours were more likely to catch a cold virus, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

It raises the blood pressure that causes heart disease and stroke, according to the US Centers for Disease Control.

It limits the body's ability to control blood sugar, which increases the risk of diabetes, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Increases inflammation, stress hormones, and pale skin, and worsens skin problems such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

Your mental health may impair, and adversely affect decision-making, as it relates to "depression, suicide and risky behavior", according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).