Take a Look at Where You Sit at Home
By Sandy Schroeder
Most of us sit a lot at home. We sit on the couch, on the floor, on the bed, or at the table. We watch TV, work on our laptops, sleep, eat and just lounge. Often little thought is given to the effects on our body.
Finding the right spot to sit and resisting the urge to slouch will make a difference for your body. If you just slouch on through it may affect your neck, back, knees, and legs.
WellAndGood.com looked at the places we sit and our posture when we are living, working and playing in our homes.
As you look at where we sit, see if it fits your habits and your lifestyle.
Dining room chairs - If we wind up working on the dining room table, the chairs may become substitutes for office chairs. To maintain posture and protect your back, sit up straight with your feet on the ground. If you are slumping forward as you work, consider elevating your laptop to get the right height.
On the floor - If you tend to work on the floor, consider using a coffee table for your laptop to avoid slouching over your work. Your chest and shoulders will tend to cave in as your head falls forward. Put your laptop on a coffee table and consider sitting on a cushion to get the right working height.
On the couch - It's easy to sit cross-legged with your laptop in your lap, but a slouch is guaranteed with the possibility of an aching neck and back as you bend over your work.
Backless stools - They may keep your core activated but can produce a slouch in long-term use. Sit up straight. Keep your shoulders back with hips at a 90-degree angle.
On the bed - It may be tempting to work at night sitting up in bed with your laptop while you watch TV, but bad posture and ongoing muscle tension are inevitable.
Better Ways to Go
Create a home workstation - Find a corner somewhere in the house and get a comfortable work chair with adequate support for shoulders and back. If you can, find one that adjusts to you. Then make sure your feet are on the floor and you are looking straight ahead at your monitor. Consider substituting a separate keyboard and monitor with your laptop to maintain posture and productivity.
Keep moving - Wherever you are at home, and at work, get up and move each hour. Walk, stretch, and remind yourself what good posture looks like and feels.
Keep exercising - Put a mat on the floor and do stretches every day to stay strong and flexible. When you move beyond just sitting to exercise your body, you have a shot at staying strong and active and maintaining good work habits.
Overall, make your sitting work for you and keep moving whenever you can.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Windermere, Fla.