How Sitting Too Much Can Be Harmful

Social distancing has presented us with many new challenges, but the issue of oversitting isn’t a new one. It may not seem like much – you’re just relaxing, right? And as you struggle with managing stress, anxiety, and schedule changes, you may not have taken the time to consider the health of your spine. Whether you are working remotely, have switched to online schooling, or are just binge-watching the latest Netflix special, there’s no denying that we are spending a lot of time sitting. Here’s what the situation is with over-sitting.

THE SITUATION WITH OVER-SITTING
Experts agree that low back pain is often the result of spending extended periods of time sitting. Even when we aren’t practicing social distancing, many of us spend our day sitting. Whether it’s driving to work, sitting at your desk for eight hours, sitting down to eat meals, we spend a lot of time sitting! Sometimes it seems as though the only time we aren’t sitting down is when we are moving on to our next seat. When you consider just how much time you spend sitting each day, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that lower back pain is an issue that is on the increase.

TIPS TO STOP OVER-SITTING
We know you can’t stop sitting altogether (plus, standing too much isn’t great for your spine either). There are, however, ways that we can be more aware of how much time we spend sitting. A few easy steps you can take to reduce the strains that sitting causes include:
1. Stretch your legs, spine, and back every hour
2. Frequently change positions
3. Set a reminder on your phone to get up every 45 minutes to get your blood moving, whether it’s a mini-stretch session or a walk around the block

By practicing these simple tips, you can make a huge impact on the negative effects that over-sitting can cause. To learn more about maintaining spinal health, just ask during your next adjustment at your local Pontiac, IL chiropractor. Click here to schedule an adjustment today!