Hey I'm Ryan Reynolds.
Recently, I asked Mint Mobile's legal team if big wireless companies are allowed to raise prices due to inflation.
They said yes. And then when I asked if raising prices technically violates those onerous two year contracts, they said, what the f**k are you talking about you insane Hollywood a**hole.
So to recap, we're cutting the price of Mint unlimited from $30 a month to just $15 a month.
Give it a try at MintMobile .com slash switch.
Enjoying your podcast will be brief.
If you're looking for the perfect holiday gift, gift scratchers from the California Lottery.
With so many to choose from, you're sure to find the right gift for anyone on your list.
Now that your holiday shopping list is figured out, enjoy this bird singing jingle bells.
Give the gift of scratchers from the California Lottery.
A little play can make your day.
Please play responsibly.
Must be 18 years or older to purchase, play or claim.
Nothing delivers comfort and joy quite like the unrivaled quality and taste of Omaha Stakes.
It's guaranteed perfection in every single bite.
And right now you can save on unforgettable gifts with 50 % off site wide at OmahaStakes .com.
Plus score an extra $30 off with promo code holiday.
With five generations of experience, they consistently deliver the world's best steak experience.
And the gifting experts at Omaha Stakes have made it easy to deliver the perfect gift with thoughtfully curated gift packages featuring gourmet favorites from legendary steaks to mouthwatering desserts and more.
Save 50 % off site wide for a limited time at OmahaStakes .com.
Plus our listeners get an extra $30 off with promo code holiday.
That's 50 % off at O -M -A -H -A Stakes .com.
And an extra $30 off with promo code holiday.
Minimum purchase may apply.
Hi, everyone. Welcome back to 8 -Minute English on the Learn English podcast channel.
I'm Nathan, your host, and I'm thrilled to have you here with me today.
Lately, I've noticed a common problem among my friends.
Many of them have been complaining about back pain, stiff necks, and even feeling really tired during the day.
But it got me thinking, could sitting too much be the reason behind all of this?
That's exactly what we're going to explore today.
Why is sitting bad for your health?
We'll also share a fun conversation between some characters who will dive into this topic in more detail.
And don't forget, we have a free PDF for this episode with key tips and vocabulary to help you practice your English.
So grab your seat, but not for too long, and let's get started.
Hey, Alex, you've been stretching your neck a lot today.
Are you okay? Not really, Jamie.
My neck and back are killing me lately.
I think it's from sitting too much.
That could definitely be it.
I saw a video recently where a doctor explained how sitting for long hours can mess with your body.
Really? What did they say?
Well, for one, sitting puts a lot of pressure on your lower back, which can cause pain over time.
Plus, bad posture while sitting makes it even worse.
That makes sense. I always end up slouching by the end of the day.
Exactly. And it's not just about your back.
Prolonged sitting can reduce blood circulation.
Reduced circulation?
What does that do? It can make you feel tired, and it might even increase your risk of varicose veins.
Hi, sorry to interrupt.
I couldn't help but overhear your conversation.
Oh, hey, Chris, join us.
We were just talking about how sitting too much affects your health.
Perfect timing. I actually had to see a physiotherapist last month because of severe back pain.
Really? What caused it?
Sitting for eight, ten hours every day at my desk.
I didn't realize how much damage it was doing until the pain became unbearable.
That sounds awful. What did the physiotherapist say?
They explained that my muscles had weakened from lack of movement, and my posture had made things worse.
If left untreated, they said, prolonged sitting can lead to more serious conditions like herniated discs.
Herniated discs? That sounds scary.
It is. It's when the cushion -like discs between your spine bones move out of place, causing severe pain and sometimes even nerve damage.
Yikes. Can sitting really cause nerve damage?
Yes, especially if poor posture is involved.
It can pinch nerves in your back, leading to pain that radiates down your legs or arms.
That sounds unbearable.
It really is. And the physiotherapist said prolonged sitting also increases the risk of osteoporosis over time.
Osteoporosis? That's the condition where your bones become weak and brittle, right?
Exactly. Sitting too much reduces bone density because there's no weight -bearing activity to keep your bones strong.
Wow, I didn't realize sitting could have such long -term effects.
That's why the physiotherapist emphasized the importance of early intervention.
Acting quickly? Yes, things like improving posture, stretching regularly, and strengthening your core muscles can prevent these problems from getting worse.
I guess it's never too late to start making changes.
So what do they recommend?
A mix of stretching, core -strengthening exercises, and standing breaks every 30 minutes.
That makes sense. I've been meaning to try yoga for better posture.
Yoga's great. My physiotherapist recommended it too.
What about standing desks?
Are they worth it? Absolutely.
I switched to a standing desk and it's made a huge difference.
I feel more active throughout the day.
That's encouraging.
Do you have any other tips?
Keep moving. Even a five -minute walk during your lunch break can do wonders.
Thanks, Chris. I'll definitely start making some changes.
Same here. Time to take those breaks seriously.
Let's go over some helpful phrases from today's conversation.
One, poor posture, sitting in a way that is not healthy for your body.
Example, poor posture can cause back pain and neck stiffness.
Two, sedentary lifestyle, a way of life that involves little or no physical activity.
Example, a sedentary lifestyle can lead to health problems like obesity.
Three, circulation, the movement of blood around your body.
Example, sitting too long can reduce circulation and cause your legs to feel numb.
Four, core muscles, the muscles in your stomach, back, and hips that support your body.
Example, strengthening your core muscles can improve your posture and reduce back pain.
Five, break the habit to stop doing something that is bad for you.
Example, it's hard to break the habit of sitting for long hours, but it's worth it.
Six, take a stretch break to stop for a moment to stretch your body and relax your muscles.
Example, remember to take a stretch break every 30 minutes to stay active.
Now let's dive into two questions about today's topic.
Question one, what are some health risks of sitting for too long?
Sitting for long hours can lead to back pain, reduced blood circulation, and even increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Question two, what's one small change you can make to reduce the harm of sitting?
For me, I set an alarm to remind myself to stand up and stretch every hour.
What about you? Let us know your tips in the comments below.
Let's talk about some surprising facts and studies about sitting for long periods.
Did you know that sitting for more than six hours a day increases your risk of early death by up to 20 percent?
This was found in a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, and it's not just physical health.
Sitting too much also affects your brain.
Research from UCLA shows that excessive sitting can reduce the thickness of the part of your brain responsible for memory and learning.
That's pretty scary, right?
But here's the good news.
Small changes can make a big difference.
For example, a study by the Mayo Clinic found that standing for just 30 minutes can boost your blood circulation significantly.
And if you combine standing with light activity like walking, the benefits are even greater.
One fun fact. Standing desks are becoming increasingly popular in offices worldwide.
Some companies even provide treadmill desks.
Can you imagine walking while typing an email?
Another fascinating study found that fidgeting, like tapping your foot or bouncing your leg, might help counteract some of the effects of sitting.
So even small movements matter.
Remember, the goal isn't to avoid sitting completely, but to find balance.
If you can, try setting a timer to remind yourself to stand or stretch every 30 minutes.
And of course, check out the PDF for more tips and exercises you can try right now.
Let us know in the comments, what small change will you try today to sit less and move more?
Enjoying your podcast will be brief.
If you're looking for the perfect holiday gift, give Scratchers from the California Lottery.
With so many to choose from, you're sure to find the right gift for anyone on your list.
Now that your holiday shopping list is figured out, enjoy this bird singing jingle bells.
Give the gift of Scratchers from the California Lottery.
A little play can make your day.
Please play responsibly.
Must be 18 years or older to purchase, play or claim.
Oh my god, it's the coolest thing ever.
Hey guys, have you heard of Goldbelly?
Well, check this out.
It's this amazing site where they ship the most iconic, famous foods from restaurants across the country, anywhere nationwide.
I've never found a more perfect gift than food.
They ship Chicago deep dish pizza, New York bagels, Maine lobster rolls, and even Ina Garden's famous cakes.
Seriously. So if you're looking for a gift for the food lover in your life, head to goldbelly .com and get 20 % off your first order with promo code gift.
This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance.
You chose to hit play on this podcast today.
Smart choice. Make another smart choice with auto quote explorer to compare rates from multiple car insurance companies all at once.
Try it at progressive .com progressive casualty insurance company and affiliates not available in all states or situations prices vary based on how you buy.
