SITTING FEELS EASY BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT ITS DOING TO YOUR BODY?

Every Wednesday morning I take some of the employees of the PM Group through a mobility session before they start work as part of their wellness plan.

Read below for more information on how you can help yourself.

And if your interested in becoming more mobile. Get in touch!

Mobility for people who spend the larger part of their day sitting is crucial for a healthy life, even if exercise is part of your weekly routine. Sitting, working on a computer, using a mouse or smart phone can cause severe problems in your back, neck, arms, hips and midsection.

WHATS HAPPENING WHEN YOUR DOING NOTHING?

1) When standing your abdominals are tightened and tense if you are seated these muscles can go unused causing a weakened midsection - the area that is in charge of keeping your back strong and safe.

2) The hips are in a hinged position for a prolonged period of time shortening the muscles and causing the hip flexors to become tight. So even if you do exercise the hips function is limited causing the body to recruit movement from somewhere and this will generally come from the spine, in turn causing more back pain. Back pain and neck pain are going to be critical as the act of sitting itself compresses all the discs that make up the spine.

3)Even the simple use of a mouse can lead to inflammation of the tendons. The tendons start in your hand and lead up your arm and when inflamed can result in many issues from wrist to elbow pain.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?

It is recommended that you break up your day every 30 mins whether it be walking or stretching. Although you may feel silly lunging in the middle of your workmates, your body will thank you. If you make stretching a part of your daily life it will decrease the main issues caused by sitting. Not only does stretching and particularly in the morning release endorphins - the happy hormone it will increase blood flow which will relieve muscle tightens (a sign of tiredness) and give you an energy boost to start your day. Working on your flexibility will fortify your posture combating the causes for back and neck aches. In turn adding quality to your life and making your daily tasks easy.