London - Are you sitting comfortably? Then your anxiety levels could be mounting.
Scientists have found that long periods of sitting are bad for your mental health as well as your body.
The tests on adults and adolescents found couch potatoes who spend their waking hours playing computer games, surfing the internet and watching TV are more likely to suffer debilitating anxiety attacks.
Anxiety is a normal reaction to certain situations such as exams, having a baby, starting a new job, or being diagnosed with an illness. But some people feel like this most of the time, and their excessive worrying can result in physical symptoms including a pounding heartbeat, difficulty breathing, tense muscles and headaches.
The research adds to the woes linked to flopping out on the sofa. Obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis have all been linked to sitting down.
Megan Teychenne, lead researcher at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, said: “We are seeing an increase in anxiety symptoms in our modern society, which seems to parallel the increase in sedentary behaviour.
“It is important we understand the behavioural factors that may be linked to anxiety... to develop evidence-based strategies in preventing/managing this illness.”
Daily Mail