Part 1. Vocabulary
|
emphasize |
/ˈemfəˌsīz/ v - make
(something) more clearly defined Her fitted
dress t emphasized her body. |
|
sedentary |
/ˈsednˌterē/
adj - work or a
way of life characterized by much sitting and little physical exercise A sedentary
lifestyle spells bad news for hips and thighs. |
|
obese |
/ōˈbēs/ adj - grossly fat
or overweight. I met a
hugely obese young man. |
|
boost |
/bo͞ost/ v - help or
encourage (something) to increase or improve A range of
measures has to be done to boost tourism during pandemics. |
|
vigorous |
/ˈviɡ(ə)rəs/
adj -
characterized by or involving physical strength, effort, or energy I am so tired
after vigorous aerobic exercise. |
1.
Why is a sitting or a sedentary lifestyle is bad?
2.
What will happen if we sit for a very long time?
3.
How can sitting for a long time affect mental
health?
4.
How important is exercising in our daily life?
5.
What can you suggest so that people can have a
lesser sedentary lifestyle?
Part 3. Article Reading
As more Americans return to the office after working from
home during the COVID-19 pandemic, health experts emphasize
the importance of scheduling time for physical activity during the day.
Everyone's pandemic experience has been different. Some
people easily may have found time to exercise while working from home. Others
may have felt more chained to their computers than they did in the office.
Regardless, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to more couch and
screen time for many Americans. Some research has found Americans are spending
about four more hours a day sitting than they were before the pandemic. The
transition back to the office may be the perfect time for people to hit the
refresh button and find new ways to incorporate physical activity into their daily
schedules.
Why sitting is so bad?
The impact of sitting on our physical health has been
well-documented. Studies have shown that a sedentary lifestyle is
associated with an increased risk of being overweight and developing chronic
conditions such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. It's also linked
to early death.
Prolonged sitting can cause the hip flexor muscles to
shorten, which can lead to hip joint problems. Poor posture can affect spine
health, leading to disc degeneration.
One analysis of 13 studies found that people who sat for
more than eight hours a day with no physical activity had a similar risk of
dying as someone who is obese or smokes.
The mental health effects of too much sitting aren't as well
known. But they're significant.
Jacob Meyer, director of the Wellbeing and Exercise lab at
Iowa State University, is among researchers who have been studying people's
exercise patterns during the pandemic and the impact on mental health.
In the early days of the pandemic, people who exercised less
and spent more time looking at screens were more likely to be lonely, stressed, and depressed, researchers found. As stay-at-home restrictions began to loosen
across the country, mental health improved – except for those who stayed mostly
sedentary.
Meyer's earlier research also has shown that replacing
prolonged sedentary time with light physical activity improves mood and lowers
body mass index. Getting more sleep – instead of the late-night screen – time also
is associated with less stress, lower BMI, and better mood.
"We know consistently that the more people are active,
the more that they exercise, the better their mental health is," Meyer
told NPR.
Other studies have found strong associations between
physical activity and boosts in mood as well as decreased risk for
anxiety and depression.
A recent study found that spending more than eight hours a
day sitting during the pandemic, even with 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity during the week, was
associated with an increased risk for depression, anxiety, and chronic stress.
Studies consistently show that daily physical activity is
important. People who haven't been exercising during the pandemic should
gradually introduce more physical activity, so they don't feel overwhelmed,
experts, say. Even small steps can make a big difference.
Source: Tracey Romero, October 20,
2021, https://www.phillyvoice.com/