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Reduce risk of stroke by cycling to work, research suggests
The more sedentary your working life, the more physical activity you need to do outside it in order to live an optimally healthy life.
One thing you can do to decrease your risk of having a stroke is exercise in your free time �or use an active mode of transport to get to work, and around in general. This may sound obvious, but it may surprise you to know that exercising at work, rather than during your leisure time, could be having a negative impact on your stroke risk and overall health…
Everyday activities are no longer enough
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg have found that the physical activities we do as we go about our lives arent enough to give us adequate protection from having a stroke.
Now that many jobs and domestic activities are becoming more sedentary, says lead author Adam Viktorisson, physical activity during leisure time and as transportation is becoming increasingly important.
According to Occupation Health and Wellbeing Plus, 81% of office workers spend between four and nine hours a day sitting at their desks. That adds up to about 67 sedentary days, per worker, per year.
Physical activity during leisure time is better than at work
Those who work physically strenuous jobs dont get the same benefits from the exercise they do at work as those who engage in physical activity voluntarily, outside working hours.
In fact, physical activity at work can have negative health impacts, and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
“How and when we carry out physical activity seems to play a crucial role in determining its health benefits, says Viktorisson.
In their study, physical activity people did during their leisure time or in order to travel (such as cycling to work, or to a friends house) was associated with a lower risk of stroke.
Best things you can do to prevent a stroke
According to the NHS, the best way to help prevent a stroke is to eat well, exercise often, avoid smoking, and dont drink too much alcohol.
Lifestyle changes like these or maintaining a lifestyle like this can reduce the risk of your arteries becoming clogged with fatty substances, high blood pressure, and harmfully high cholesterol levels.
When it comes to diet, there are many different theories about the ideal balance of fat, fiber, protein and carbohydrate. However, the NHS recommends a low-fat, high-fiber diet, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and wholegrain. Believe it or not, your relationship status may also have an impact on your likelihood of suffering a stroke.
Fast walking qualifies as exercise as does cycling to work. If youre recovering from a stroke, its best to discuss exercise plans with your rehabilitation team, rather than plot your own route back to good health.
