Between sitting and standing, which posture is more fatal to blood circulation?

Many people wonder which is more harmful to blood circulation: sitting for a long time or standing for a long time. According to a video from Jeong Se-yeon's Life Lab, both sitting and standing postures are bad for circulation, but the core reason lies not in the type of posture, but in the 'absence of movement.'

Whether sitting or standing, the problem is 'not moving'

Sitting for a long time can hinder blood circulation and cause blood clots. Especially in cases like being on an airplane for a long time in narrow seats, if blood cannot flow smoothly and vortices (swirls) are created, it can lead to fatal situations such as 'pulmonary embolism,' where a blood clot travels through the blood vessels and blocks the pulmonary artery. These symptoms are dangerous signals that can appear in those who sit for long periods, to the extent that it is called economy class syndrome.

On the other hand, occupational groups that stand for long periods, such as chefs, hairdressers, sales staff, and teachers, are prone to developing 'varicose veins,' where blood vessels bulge due to continuous pressure on the veins caused by the influence of gravity. Ultimately, whether sitting, standing, or even lying down for a long time, the common problem is that 'one does not move.' The calf muscle plays such an important role in pushing blood flow that it is called the 'second heart'; if the muscles are not moved, blood flow stagnates, causing health problems.

Blood directly linked to life, lymph that determines quality of life

In the circulatory system, there is not only blood but also lymph. If blood plays the 'delivery' role of transporting oxygen and nutrients to cells, lymph plays the 'waste collection' role of recovering water, proteins, inflammatory debris, and waste left over after cell use. Although blood circulation and lymphatic circulation perform different roles, they ultimately move as one system because the lymph circulates and then rejoins the veins.

If blood circulation is blocked, the oxygen supply to the brain or heart can be cut off, putting lives at risk. On the other hand, if lymphatic circulation stagnates, while life is not immediately in danger, problems that decrease the quality of life occur, such as the body swelling, immune regulation functions declining, and fat accumulation becoming easier because waste is not properly recovered. The video compared this to a situation where 'deliveries keep coming, but empty boxes pile up, turning the house into a trash heap.'

In particular, unlike blood, lymph does not have a 'heart' as a power source to help circulation. Because it moves by relying on the movement of surrounding muscles and the pressure difference generated during breathing, if there is no movement, the circulation slows down to nearly a standstill. When lymph stagnates, water, proteins, and inflammatory mediators accumulate between tissues, causing the body to swell; at this time, observing whether the swelling is severe in the morning, in the evening, or only on one side can help identify the cause.

Breathing methods and food management to help lymphatic circulation

If lymphatic circulation stagnates, immune responses may occur too late or, conversely, too hypersensitively, making it difficult to control inflammation. Also, since it is a pathway that transports fats absorbed from the intestines, it is closely related to obesity. To prevent this, periodic movement and correct breathing are essential.

First, one must stand up and move at least once every hour. If in a sitting position, it is important to stimulate the calf muscles through the 'soleus exercise' of lifting and lowering the legs. Second, perform deep abdominal breathing. Compared to shallow chest breathing, breathing deeply into the abdomen and exhaling promotes lymphatic circulation by creating pressure differences within the body. The video suggests methods such as 'bee breathing,' where one breathes while making sound, or methods involving counting numbers.

As for food, red beans, which are known in traditional Korean medicine to have a 'dampness-draining action' that regulates water metabolism, may be helpful. Red beans do not simply act as a diuretic, but play a role in helping the body's circulation to manage swelling. The video mentioned that consuming them in the form of 'red bean sprouts' (sprouted red beans) might be more effective than simply eating red beans. In conclusion, to live long, one must manage blood circulation, and to live healthily, one must manage lymphatic circulation together.