Body Aches From Not Exercising

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only approximately 10 percent to 43 percent of people in the U.S. engage in physical activity for leisure. Inactivity can be as hard on your body as excessive activity. If you have unexplained body aches, you may find that those aches and pains have a lot to do with your lifestyle.

Cause

According to MedlinePlus, not getting enough exercise can put you at risk for developing disuse atrophy. Disuse atrophy occurs when muscles that are not used enough weaken and waste away due to a loss of muscle tissue and tone. This makes muscles more prone to feeling sore and achy. A rise in sedentary lifestyles is largely related to the increased use of electronic devices like computers as well as increasing numbers of workers with desk jobs. Those who are bedridden or who suffer from medical disorders that affect mobility can also develop disuse atrophy.

Sedentary Lifestyle Solutions

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Achy muscles may make you feel less motivated to move, but more movement is exactly what you need. Exercise strengthens weak muscles and builds muscle tissue. Increase your amount of exercise gradually. Finding fun ways to fit physical activity into your schedule will make you more likely to stick with it. If you prefer to be out in the fresh air, opt for outdoor activities like walking, playing sports or swimming. If you can't get outside because of weather, indoor activities like dancing and weightlifting work just as well. If you have a desk job, try taking a quick stroll around the building or down the block every day during lunch.

Medical Disorder Solutions

Getting adequate amounts of exercise is equally important for people with physical limitations. If your health makes you less active than you would like, your doctor can recommend safe exercises. Patients with mobility problems may benefit from working with a physical therapist until comfortable exercising independently. Gentle activities like stretching and water exercise will help ease you into a more active lifestyle without aggravating your condition.

Considerations

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Taking the initiative to get more exercise is the first step toward eliminating body aches associated with inactivity. However, it may take some time for your body to become accustomed to more intense activities. Do not get discouraged if you experience a temporary increase in body aches within the first few weeks after boosting your physical activity level. Take it slow, and give your body time to adjust and strengthen. Completing a warmup before and cooldown after exercising will help reduce the severity of postexercise body aches.