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Live Longer: Pick Out a Space on the Floor

By Sandy Schroeder

Are you missing out on a healthy habit that will help you live longer? Health researchers who have studied the world's longest living populations, say sitting on the floor can add years to your life. 

People in the Blue Zone of Okinawa, Japan spend most of their time sitting on the floor and live long healthy lives. Men and women in their 70s or 80s sit on the floor a great deal of the time. Each floor sit is the equivalent of doing a squat. Most of them keep their furniture to a minimum to encourage floor sitting. 

What Floor Sitting Does for You 

When you get up and down from the floor several times a day you strengthen core muscles and Improve your sense of balance. This helps you avoid falls. As we grow older, falls become one of the leading causes for severe injuries or death. Overall floor sitting is a natural way to improve skeletal and muscular health and alignment. The body functions as a unified tool moving more smoothly and quickly.

As you try floor sitting, avoid slouching which can trigger lower back pain and make sure your weight is centered over your hips to reduce pressure on feet and ankles. For the best alignment, sit on a cushion, squishy ball or folded blanket. 

You don't have to abandon your couch, but try to mix in floor sitting which will help keep your body fluid and flexible. Add some deep squats too to boost circulation and provide more energy. Overall floor sitting will help you become more aware of your whole body and make you feel more grounded. 

What to Do While You Floor Sit 

  • Just sit whenever it feels comfortable. 
  • Play board games with your kids 
  • Watch TV or work on your laptop 
  • Do breathing and stretching exercises 
  • Listen to music 
  • Sit and talk with your kids 
  • Enjoy evening quiet times reading stories 

As I tried floor sitting, it brought back memories of my childhood and made me feel more present in the moment. Hopping up and down when you are a kid is automatic, but with a little effort we may all come close. The more you floor sit the easier it will become and the better you may feel. It may become automatic before you know it.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Maple Grove, Minn. 

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