Layoffs - The Unseen Physical Effects

The effects of layoffs are detrimental in more ways than what are initially considered. Over 4,000 professionals in the Houston-area over the last 18 months have been laid off. There are others being laid off across the nation as well. In addition to the household and community financial impact of a layoff, most don’t consider how a layoff will negatively impact one’s physical health, but it does.  In fact, you can go as far as to say being laid off is synonymous with physical inactivity, especially as the days and months pass by without having a job.

It has been proven that health risks will prevail with inactivity with having less to do while being at home or suffering from work overload in the office. Consistently sitting throughout the day at work, because you now are doing the work of 2 to 4 people and working longer hours, is definitely going to take a toll on your body. 

The other scenario is idle time at home and siting down for hours at a time to watch several daytime TV shows or streaming movies is going to result in a higher level of physical inactivity. And then there is more sitting when using a mobile device to apply to several internet job postings.  Either way, prolonged sitting substantially increases your chances of being less healthy and weakens your body over time. Have you ever wondered why there are so many knee and hip replacements?

The net effect of increased periods of prolonged daily inactivity can result in poor circulation, weight gain, lower back issues, decreased energy, muscle atrophy, or worse yet, co-morbidity, or the presence of one or more additional diseases or disorders. 

The article (shared below) by Stacy Simon is a must read, “Study: An Hour of Physical Activity a Day Needed to Offset Dangers of Prolonged Sitting.” 

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/news/study-an-hour-of-physical-activity-a-day-needed-to-offset-dangers-of-prolonged-sitting?utm_campaign=septembernationalnewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=acxiom&utm_content=test

The American Cancer Society recommends adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week. Don’t know where to start, read their article for some very good tips on how to incorporate physical activity regardless of where you are during the day. Make it a daily goal to MOVE YOUR BODY regardless of whether you are in the office, or at home. It really “does the body good!”