FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM JANUARY 16, 2020 • WELLNESS • THE QUEENS COURIER 45
wellness
Four tips if you sit for extended periods
Sitting is nearly impossible to avoid.
Whether during your daily commute,
working hard at your desk or watching
your favorite TV show on the couch, sitting
can provide relief and give you the
opportunity to relax.
However, sitting for a long period of
time can lead to some adverse health
eff ects. According to a recent survey
commissioned by Preparation H, 63% of
Americans admit that staying seated for
an extended period has resulted in butt
pain or discomfort.
While sitting may be one of our favorite
positions, the following tips will help you
diminish the harmful, but common, side
eff ects of sitting and highlight how to give
your backside the break it deserves.
Move bad posture
out of the way
Sitting down at a desk for eight hours
at work each day is common for many
professions, in addition to sitting during
the commute to the offi ce. For many, this
is the preferred position, as one in four
employed Americans would not show
up to work if they could not sit down the
entire time. However, sitting can have signifi
cant eff ects on our backs and spines,
causing pain and discomfort. To avoid
bad posture and a stiff neck or back, take
a quick walk around the offi ce, fi nd a longer
route to the water cooler or grab a
coworker for a few laps around the parking
lot during lunch. If your offi ce allows
it, opt for a standing desk to get you off
your butt and onto your feet.
Improve poor circulation
Let’s face it - we all want to get home,
kick off our shoes and get lost in our
couch cushions for the rest of the night.
However, sitting for too long causes your
blood to remain in your feet and lower
legs due to lack of movement, causing
your body’s circulation to slow down and
resulting in numbness and tingling. To
break up your sitting marathon, try to
perform a few simple bodyweight exercises
during commercial breaks or use the
time to get up and tidy your living room
space.
Leave backside discomfort
in the past
Everyone uses the bathroom throughout
the day, but some may spend a little
too much time on the porcelain throne.
Th e time spent sitting, as well as the habits
associated with the activity, can ultimately
contribute to the causes of hemorrhoid
fl are-ups, like constipation and
straining. When hemorrhoids do strike,
Preparation H is the #1 doctor-recommended
OTC hemorrhoid brand formulated
to soothe, cool, cleanse and care for
your backside. To help shorten the time
spent on the toilet, avoid digital distractions,
like your phone, that can lead to
spending extended time sitting in the
bathroom.
Bring the power back
to your brain
Your physical health isn’t the only thing
suff ering from sitting - your mental health
is aff ected as well. Sitting for extended
periods can slow down brain function,
leading to memory loss and a foggy brain
feeling. If you’re feeling distracted or can’t
seem to accomplish a task at hand, try getting
up and going for a quick walk to help
improve concentration and keep blood
fl owing to your brain so the next big idea
is right around the corner.
Whether it’s getting in an extra couple
of steps or banishing your phone from the
bathroom, these small changes can be benefi
cial in reducing the negative eff ects of staying
seated for too long. Sitting will inevitably
be a part of your day, but by implementing
these tips, you can give yourself a pat on the
back for putting your health fi rst.
For more information on hemorrhoid
relief, visit preparationh.com.
— BPT
/WWW.QNS.COM
/preparationh.com
