Why resting on your sofa isn’t restful
Does it support you, hold you, revive you?
Is your sofa design more about aesthetics than how it supports your body? Compromising postures mitigate the restful attributes your body needs. These compromising postures are accentuated when you’re hunkered down, weary, sore or poorly. A time you’re least inclined to consider whether your position offers beneficial rest.
What is rest?
A position allowing your muscles to unfurl, your joints to open for strain to ebb and recovery flow. Sitting slouched and twisted on your much loved saggy sofa, may rest your mind, but not dear reader, your body!
Ask this of your sofa
Does it offer head and back support?
Do the seats match the length of your thigh or force you to slump because the seat is too long or too short?
Does it face square to the TV or force you to twist?
Office seating, desks and ‘work station’ set ups aim to minimise repetitive stress and strain. However, once home, the concept of looking after yourself is thrown to the wind without a second thought.
Have a second thought
Improve what you have
~ Place cushions behind your head or back
~ For side sitters, interchange side sitting to both sides, along with feet to the floor!
~ Perch on the edge of your seat from time to time
~ Intermittently get up and move
~ Choose another seat to vary your position and posture.
Have a third thought
Think human evolution for uno momento. Pre industrialisation your ancestor’s options for rest, relaxation and sleep were limited to essentially, lying on the floor. This allowed muscles to unfurl, your joints to open, your mind to still for strain to ebb and recovery flow. Is this what you’re looking for?
Slide to the floor for the ultimate R & R
Support your head and neck, or any body parts that feel the need. Take a moment to focus on your breath. With each out breath soften the back of your head, then neck, down your spine and limbs, to the tips of your fingers and toes.
Just. Let. Go. Sink deeply into the ground’s embrace, shedding the heaviness and tension from your mind and body.
Relish don’t punish
If you’re new to this, be kind to yourself. If the ground feels too hard, don’t suffer. The aim is to feel restored not punished. Keep on keeping on, even if only for a few moments. Whenever, wherever.
Commit to you
Committing to taking care of ourselves as we’re naturally designed, is how we evolved to be what we are today. Self care for our ancestors wasn’t a treat, it was integral to life.
Drinking water, eating unprocessed food, regularly moving, reaching, strengthening our whole body, by day. Without electricity’s light and sound pollution distracting or disturbing, enforced rest and sleep, by night was THE way of life, for life.
I’m here for you
If your body needs my help to live more of the life you want, drop me a line. I’m only an email away.
Rachel
Physiotherapy through movement
P.S. Raring to go?
If you’re raring to go in your own time and space today, I can help with that too! Simply Move! online is a self guided Physiotherapy led movement programme. Your whole body in 8 videos, practical and progressive with access for a year.
What are you wanting to achieve, 12 months from now? If your body’s holding you back, click below and sign up for Simply Move!™ online. Let’s make it happen.
Helen R Morrison 13th April 2018 at 5:03 pm
Thank you very much.I am sitting up straight on my sofa with a cushion in the small of my back as I read your blog.
Rachel Kili 16th April 2018 at 8:56 am
Hello Helen, excellent news! Thank you for the feedback.
Rachel
Sven Kili 13th April 2018 at 5:44 pm
Great advice, thanks. I often get strange looks when crouching in the asile on the aeroplane though….
Rachel Kili 16th April 2018 at 8:58 am
Hello Sven, yes those aisles can be a challenge! Delighted to hear the blog was useful though.
Rachel
Sylvi 30th April 2018 at 9:53 pm
I just tried to squat after sitting for a while – felt good.
Not sure about the aircraft aisle though ;))
Rachel Kili 14th May 2018 at 3:21 pm
Great feedback Sylvi thank you. Never be afraid of those aisles…
Rachel