5 Ways to Improve Your Health While Sitting
I've seen buzz in the news about sitting being the “new smoking” in terms of habits that negatively impact your health. But what happens when standing or physical activity isn’t always a choice or an option? Living with MS brings issues with balance, mobility, and fatigue. So, I’d like to propose a new approach: 5 ways to improve your health while sitting.
Now as is true for everything with MS, each of our experiences, abilities, and preferences are unique. So what works for one person may not work for the next. But my intention is to spark some ideas and a broader conversation for us to collectively generate even more ideas. To start, here are some ideas that came top of mind for me.
Deep breathing and meditation
One way to potentially enhance our health from a seated position is through deep breathing exercises and meditation. These practices can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve overall circulation.1 If you’ve never tried it before, there are countless meditations on YouTube to just try it out. You can also do it for any length of time: five minutes or fifty minutes. Choose whatever you have time and energy for.
Chair yoga
Okay, the yoga instructor in me can’t help but to include this on the list. I think chair yoga is a great way to move the body, whether we are trying to lengthen muscles or strengthen them. There are all levels at which you can practice, too. Some are gentle, while others can incorporate dumbbells and resistance bands. Choose the option that matches your ability and your goals.
Write your grocery list
I know this one doesn’t exactly seem like a “health-boosting” activity, but hear me out. When you sit down to plan your meals for the week, you're in the driver's seat to pick foods that are good for you. It’s all about making thoughtful choices, like swapping out those chips for crunchy carrots or choosing whole grains over white bread. Plus, when you plan ahead, you're less likely to grab those not-so-great-for-you impulse buys. It's an easier way to take control of your diet and make sure you're fueling your body with the good stuff.
Prep veggies at the kitchen table
Here's a tip that can change the meal-prepping game: prep your veggies at the kitchen table. It eliminates the overwhelm of having to stand in the kitchen for any length of time. And then it makes it so much easier to toss some extra greens or veggies into a dish when they're all washed, cut, and ready to go.
Engage your mind
Last but not least, we can’t overlook exercising our brain. That can easily be done while seated as well, and it’s most certainly an important muscle to strengthen. There are countless options here, too. They range from reading, puzzles, crossword puzzles to knitting, drawing, painting, or even doing digital games that are designed to keep your mind active and sharp.
I see a lot of members of our community start new hobbies after their diagnosis. I'd love hear from you now: are there ideas that you have? Please share in the comments below.
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