Using Zero Gravity Chairs for Health Problems From Sitting All Day
In the modern world, even a hectic schedule may have you sitting for long periods of time each day. Whether it's working in an office, driving a car, sitting in class, or relaxing at home in the evening, you’re likely sitting down much more than you realize. One study has shown modern people are sitting up to 15 hours a day!
Sitting disease, as it is commonly referred to, is when we’re spending too much time sitting down. While you may think it sounds harmless enough, the truth is humans were meant to be bipedal and spent much more time being active in the past than today. The excess pressure and effects of a sedentary lifestyle on our bodies while sitting in traditional chairs can lead to common health problems.
So how can you fix the issue when you’ve got a busy schedule? It may be easier than you think! Zero gravity chairs make excellent multifunctional furniture ideas for the modern lifestyle and keep you going strong. Today we’re exploring ways for using zero gravity chairs to avoid health problems from sitting all day.
6 Common Health Problems From Sitting All Day
Now that you’re thinking about it, it’s staggering how many days you’re really sitting down all day, isn’t it? It doesn’t mean you’re lazy! During normal times, office workers were the largest group frequently spending all day sitting down at work but with the recent pandemic everyone is spending far more time at home sitting.
Whether it’s working from home in your home office setup, using a homeschool room setup, or simply staying inside to practice social distancing and safety, you can use zero gravity chairs to avoid these common health problems from sitting all day:
- Spinal compression leading to back pain
- Sciatic nerve symptoms radiating from the lower back
- Increased anxiety or feelings of depression
- Heightened risk of heart disease
- Excess weight gain that can lead to complications such as diabetes
- Elevated risk for certain types of cancers
Spinal Compression From Sitting All Day
Our spine compresses throughout the day due to the normal effects of gravity no matter what. When we’re spending time sitting all day, however, we’re putting excess pressure on our spine that compresses it far more. Subconscious bad sitting habits that can affect your body long-term, such as leaning forward or slouching, may also be contributing to the health problems from sitting all day.
Using a zero gravity chair for spinal decompression and negating the effects of sitting all day. In the zero gravity position, your legs are elevated above the heart level, evenly distributing your weight along your body and reducing the pressure on your spine. In fact, daily use of a zero gravity chair for at least 20 minutes is enough to repair your spine the same amount as 8-10 hours of sleep!
Relieving Sciatic Nerve Pain Using Zero Gravity Chairs
Sciatica is a common health problem from sitting all day that stems from compression or inflammation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest nerve in the body made up of five nerve roots. Whether you’ve been working from home during quarantine or just find yourself spending more time each evening watching tv from a traditional chair or couch, the risk of sciatic nerve pain greatly increases from sitting all day.
Similar to spinal decompression to alleviate lower back pain, using a zero gravity chair for sciatica is extremely effective. Once again the design of these chairs in the zero gravity position work to take pressure off the pelvic region and sciatic nerve system. Also, zero gravity chairs improve blood circulation which further reduces inflammation that can cause sciatic nerve pain.
Increased Anxiety and Depression From Sitting All Day
Not all health problems from sitting all day are physical. There have been various studies showing a correlation between sitting at work and increased risk of depression as well as increased levels of physical activity reducing depression at all ages.
Once again zero gravity chairs are effective to avoid health problems from sitting all day as there are a number of ways to use them to improve your mental health! Try integrating zero gravity chairs into your daily fitness routine with simple exercises that increase your activity and release mood-elevating endorphins. If you’re trying to unwind before bed, using a zero gravity chair with a relaxing night time routine can help relieve stress, a major source of anxiety and depression.
Other methods for using a zero gravity chair to manage stress, anxiety, and depression amplified by the effects of sitting all day include meditating and using one for creating a zen spot in your home!
Combat Heightened Risk of Heart Disease Using Zero Gravity Chairs
Another common health problem from sitting all day is the increased risk of heart disease. One study in particular showed a correlation between sedentary behaviors like riding in a car or watching excess amounts of tv with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Not all sitting is created equally, however. Though it’s important to try to engage in some physical activity each day, another one of the health benefits of zero gravity chairs is improving heart health naturally. The zero gravity position allows for more efficient blood flow throughout the body. This helps lower blood pressure naturally (a large factor in cardiovascular disease) and takes pressure off the heart.
Zero gravity recliners are also effective for helping improve sleep quality and reduce sleep-related disorders like sleep apnea. Getting enough restful sleep has a direct effect on blood pressure levels and, therefore, managing the risk of heart disease. Additionally, sleep disorders like sleep apnea can cause blocked airways that also increase blood pressure and risk of heart attack or stroke.
Weight-Related Health Problems As Effects of Sitting All Day
When you’re sitting all day, your body isn’t producing high enough levels of molecules to efficiently break down and process fats and sugars. This means that whatever you eat (and let’s face it, who doesn’t snack while they’re sitting in front of the tv?) stays with you more than if you increase your physical activity. While every experiences some weight fluctuation here and there, chronically carrying excess weight can lead to some weight-related health problems like diabetes.
So how can a zero gravity chair help avoid this effect of sitting all day? Integrating zero gravity chairs into your daily fitness routine is simple! There are a number of activities to do while relaxing in your zero gravity chair to keep you active and raise your heart rate. The important thing is to try and elevate your heart rate for 20-30 minutes each day.
Once you’ve finished your activity, you can also use your zero gravity chair as part of a post workout recovery routine to help heal the body, keep muscles loose with heat therapy and massage features, or treat muscle strain if you’ve accidentally overdone it!
Elevated Risk of Certain Types of Cancers By Sitting All Day
Last in our guide to using zero gravity chairs to avoid health problems by sitting all day is examining the elevated risk of certain types of cancers. One study found that a greater amount of sedentary time could be associated with an increased risk for developing cancer and a higher cancer mortality rate.
While zero gravity chairs aren’t for treating cancer itself, similar to avoiding health problems from weight gain due to sitting all day, using your chair for simple exercises is a simple way to help reduce your risk. Those who participate in physical activity on a daily basis have been shown to combat this elevated risk of cancer. So exercise now, then relax and take comfort that you can do it all from the comfort of your zero gravity chair!
Using a zero gravity chair to avoid health problems from sitting all day improves your overall health naturally, mental and physical. That being said, not all sitting is the same! Move on from the couches and traditional recliners that actually add stress to your body and choose a zero gravity chair that will fit your lifestyle needs.
Interested in using a zero gravity chair for the health benefits but want to know more? Check out the benefits of zero gravity chairs for all ages and see why they're good for the whole family!