#sedentary

I know that 2021 was almost 4-5 years ago, but it still feels like when things were last calm and normal for me. My mom was alive, I didn't have this account, I was comfortable with online schooling and my old tablet was still working. Within the last few years, all of that changed. I lost one of my only close friends and confidants (my mom), I gained a social media account here (which has had some positives and some negatives), I had to go back to school and face my fears of growing older, and I've lost my old tablet. All these things still haunt me today.

Capitalism, as we know it, is a system that thrives on relentless consumption and competition. It is a system that, while driving economic growth, often leaves individuals feeling trapped in a cycle of sedentary existence. This paper explores alternatives to capitalism that can help us avoid its psychopathic tendencies and outlines steps to improve our economic systems.

The Capitalist Conundrum

Capitalism encourages a sedentary lifestyle, not just physically but mentally. It promotes a culture of passive consumption rather than active participation. This system prioritizes profit over people, leading to a society where the few thrive at the expense of the many. The result is a growing disparity in wealth and well-being.

Alternatives to Capitalism

There are viable alternatives to capitalism that emphasize community, sustainability, and equity. Models such as cooperative businesses, social enterprises, and the circular economy offer pathways to a more inclusive and sustainable future. These systems prioritize human and environmental well-being over mere financial gain.

Debunking Criticisms

Critics argue that alternatives to capitalism are idealistic and impractical. However, numerous successful examples exist worldwide. The Mondragon Corporation in Spain and the cooperative movement in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, demonstrate that alternative economic models can thrive and deliver prosperity.

Steps Toward Change

To transition away from the psychopathy of capitalism, we must take actionable steps. First, support local businesses and cooperatives. Second, advocate for policies that promote economic equity and environmental sustainability. Third, educate ourselves and others about alternative economic models.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

You got this.

F U de-press-ion

You might want to take this news standing up. A national survey finds that Americans of all ages are spending more time sitting. And this has health experts worried.

Sitting too much — especially when watching television, phones or other screens — can be bad for your health, research suggests. It has been linked to diseases such as diabetes and cancer. It also has been tied to an increased risk of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.

In a new study, researchers analyzed survey data from more than 50,000 American children, teenagers and adults. The surveys, which went from 2001 through 2016, asked people how much time they spent sitting. The results of those surveys were published April 23 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Overall, people reported sitting a lot. For instance, close to two-thirds of children and teens said they sat at least two hours a day watching television or videos. The data also showed that computer use outside of school or work has been increasing across all ages.

For adults and teens, the estimated total time sitting increased by nearly one hour a day between 2007 and 2016. That means teens now sit more than eight hours a day.

Lin Yang is a public-health expert at Alberta Health Services in Calgary, Canada. An author of the new study, she notes that this trend is not unique to the United States. “Studies out of Europe and Australia have also found increases in sitting time,” she says. “This includes sitting for work or school as well as driving rather than walking or riding a bike.”

In recent years, inactivity has emerged as an important risk to overall health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services updated its Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans last year. It now highlights new research about the dangers of excessive sitting. “This new version recommends Americans not only move more, but also sit less,” Yang says.

Erin O’Loughlin is an exercise psychologist at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. There are many reasons children and teens have been sitting more, she notes. These include less outdoor play, more screen time and schools that have been reducing opportunities for exercise during the school day.

O’Loughlin studies how active video games — sometimes called “exergames” — can help kids move more. “Sports are great. But you don’t have to play sports if that’s not your thing,” she says. To up your active time and sit less, she recommends finding what works for you. “If you like screen time, try to mix it with physical activity,” she says. “You can do this by playing active video games.”

People tend to think they spend less time sitting and more time exercising. The first step to getting healthier is becoming aware of how active — or inactive — you are, says O’Loughlin. Activity trackers can help. Their apps give people the data to track trends. So can thinking about which daily activities get you to move most.

“We all need to move more and sit less,” says Yang. “It’s important to not just switch from sitting to standing but to actually move around.” And spending more time outside helps, she notes. This is good for fitness and for exposure to the sun, an important source of the body’s vitamin D.

Food for thought: Your body burns UP TO 4x AS MANY CALORIES from standing as it does sitting.