“Sitting for a long time damages the flesh.”
The Spleen correlates to the flesh, described as the muscles and sitting for a long time will cause them harm!
The muscles are activated, stretched and perfused with blood when we move and their movement increases our metabolism.
When we sit for long periods, over the course of our lives (think desk job), we allow our muscles to sit idle and often when there is additional mental stress, the muscles become tight with tension, creating discomfort and injury when we do move them.
Mental work also relates to the Spleen, and so it can be said that sitting whilst engaged in mental work injures the flesh and muscles two fold, whilst creating additional barriers to movement later.
How is it that we can protect our muscles and flesh from the damage that comes with excessive sitting?
Movement! Daily stretches, spread throughout the day to break up the tension of sitting.
Breaks from mental work, eating away from your desk in quiet, or with good company engaged in positive conversation.
Eating foods that nourish the flesh, are soft and well cooked – pumpkin, sweet potato, squash in a casserole or slow cooked meal with beef or chicken.
A brisk walk after a nourishing lunch and some gentle stretching may be sufficient to protect your muscles from the damaging effects of sitting too long.
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