Canadians need to straighten up!

(NC)—Commuting to your job, working in an office, eating in a restaurant, relaxing in front of the TV – what do all of these activities have in common? They all require us to sit.

With modern humans spending so much time in a seated position, we seem to be taking the “erect” out of “Homo Erectus” and are now moving on to our next evolutionary step, “Homo Chairus.” But are our bodies ready for us to become “chair-shaped people?”

Sitting for long periods of time, especially with bad posture, can add a lot of pressure to back muscles and spinal discs, and can put us at risk of developing back pain. Excessive amounts of sitting can also increase stiffness and exacerbate conditions like arthritis.

Thankfully, there are things you can do to reduce the negative impact sitting can have on your body. Here are some tips to help you break the mold and straighten up!

• Get active – Staying in the same seated position for a long time can build up stress and cause discomfort. It's important to keep moving during the day by taking regular breaks to stretch and walk. Making small changes in your daily routine, like standing on public transit instead of sitting, can make a big difference.

• Practice your posture – Sitting with plenty of support and without slouching helps to minimize the strain on your back.

• Manage your pain – When back pain does occur, don't ignore it and hope that it will pass. Treat it early with safe over-the-counter medications, like Tylenol, so you can get over the pain quickly and get back to your normal routine.

• Use the right tools – With back pain being such a common problem, there are now many tools available that help lower the amount of strain when you sit. Try getting an ergonomic chair specially designed to support your back. You can also purchase a lower back support, or roll up a small towel, and bring it with you when you'll be sitting for long periods, such as at work or in the car.

Source: www.newscanada.com
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