Try these healthier positions instead.
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
| | | | I naturally put one leg over the other whenever I sit down on something, like a chair or the couch. I'm even doing it right now at my dining room table. Even though this is what feels best for my body, I know I shouldn't do it. Research shows that sitting cross-legged can strain your body, both in the long and short term. | | Since many of us sit for so much of the day, I wanted to spend some time chatting about the health effects of sitting posture and healthier alternatives to get into more often. | | | | Sit down for this one,
Morgan Mandriota
Newsletter Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Morgan Mandriota
August 5, 2024 • 3 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | How your sitting posture can affect your health | | To state the obvious, sitting with your legs crossed at the knees isn't exactly a medical emergency. Many people can sit this way a lot of the time without it harming their health. But crossing your legs could cause gluteal pressure and hip and pelvis misalignment, which can lead to a slouched posture and back pain. According to an older 2010 study, sitting with your legs crossed may also increase your blood pressure. You can even increase blood clot risk after crossing your legs for just 30 minutes! ️ | These common body positions can also overwork and strain your postural tissues: - sitting slumped to one side with your spine bent
- keeping your knees, ankles, or arms crossed
- dangling or not properly supporting your feet
- sitting in one position for extended periods without taking a break
- straining your neck by looking down or at screens for a long time
| | If you get frequent headaches and/or your neck, shoulders, or back often hurts, this may be a sign that it's time to change your sitting habits. It could take a while to retrain your muscle memory, but it can be done. Being mindful and aware is the first step!️️ | To better protect your body and reduce your risk of any health issues, here are some posture tips to keep in mind: - Sit up tall and look straight ahead without straining your neck.
- Rest your feet flat on the floor so that your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle (a footrest can be helpful for this).
- Hold your elbows to your sides to create an L-shape with your arms.
- Relax your shoulders.
- Place your ankles in front of your knees.
Remember to stand up frequently and/or go for walks throughout the day if you live a sitting-heavy lifestyle! *Notes to self.* | | | | | | | |
| | | | Sit and strengthen | | | | | | |  | | Gaiam Balance Disk Wobble Cushion | This seat cushion scored the "best for posture and core strength" in our list of top recommendations!
It fits on most chairs and works like a stability ball to help build up your core strength, posture, and balance while you sit. It's also a great way to release pent-up energy while sitting, especially for kids and fidgety people (like me). Just make sure not to use it for more than a couple hours at a time and to stop using it if you feel pain in your back or anywhere else. | | | Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | *It can not be combined with your health insurance. Healthline and Optum Perks are owned by RVO Health. By using this Optum Perks service, we may receive a tangible benefit. | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | As I wrote this, I noticed that my legs were crossed. Ugh. Thanks for reading! May you sit in comfy, healthy ways until we meet again. | | | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment