We spend most of our time sitting down, be it at work, during mealtime, etc. Spending much of our time sitting can be detrimental to our health and well-being. Thankfully, there is a solution: active sitting. The concept of active sitting in our daily lives, its potential health benefits, and practical advice you may apply every day are all covered in this article.


What is Active Sitting?

Active sitting is defined as sitting in a way that activates your muscles, supports good posture, and permits mobility while sitting. Active sitting seeks to mitigate these detrimental consequences by including little movements and exercises throughout the day, in contrast to passive sitting, which can result in muscle imbalances, weakened core muscles, and poor spinal alignment. 


The Health Benefits of Active Sitting:

Improved Core Strength:

When we engage in active sitting, our core muscles are activated to maintain stability and balance. Regularly engaging these muscles while seated can lead to increased core strength, improved posture, and reduced risk of back pain.

Enhanced Posture:

Active sitting encourages proper spinal alignment, which is essential for maintaining good posture. By actively engaging our core muscles and avoiding slouching, we can reduce strain on the neck, shoulders, and lower back, promoting better spinal health.

Increased Calorie Expenditure:

Although active sitting may not replace traditional exercise, it can still contribute to calorie expenditure throughout the day. The subtle movements and muscle engagement associated with active sitting can help burn additional calories compared to passive sitting.


Improvement in Blood Circulation

Sitting for extended periods of time can cause the blood flow to the legs to diminish, which can be painful and increase the risk of conditions like deep vein thrombosis. Active sitting promotes blood flow and lowers the risk of circulation-related problems by encouraging motions like shifting your weight, leg extensions, or modest leg lifts.


Practical Tips for Active Sitting:

Use a fitness ball: Use a stability ball, often known as an exercise ball, in place of your ordinary chair or office chair. Your core muscles are used while sitting on an exercise ball as they attempt to keep you balanced. It encourages tiny motions and keeps your body moving even when you're just sitting there.


Employ a standing desk: Use a Standing Desk: Consider working at a desk that enables you to move back and forth between sitting and standing all day. This presents opportunities to engage in active sitting by infrequently shifting your weight, changing your posture, or performing quick stretches. 


Sit on a Wobble Cushion: Sit on a wobble cushion to impart a sense of instability to your sitting position. When you sit on a wobble cushion, you have to use your core muscles to stay balanced, which over time can help with posture and develop your core.


Frequently Take Micro-Breaks: No matter what kind of chair you use, it's important to regularly get up, stretch, and move around. Every 30 minutes, use a timer or a reminder app to remind you to get up and stretch or do some quick exercises.


Incorporate Active Sitting Exercises: While seated, incorporate simple exercises like seated leg raises, heel lifts, abdominal contractions, or seated twists. These exercises can be discreetly performed and help activate various muscle groups while seated.


Summary

Our core strength, posture, calorie burn, and blood circulation can all be improved by engaging our muscles, keeping good posture, and adding small movements throughout the day. By introducing active sitting into our daily routine and making tiny changes to our sitting habits.