Have you heard that “sitting is the new smoking?” It’s a phrase meant to scare us into paying attention to the dangers of sitting for long periods of time, which can come with serious health risks like obesity, high blood pressure, and even increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. But there’s another danger workers who sit all day are trying to prevent - the dreaded “office chair butt.”
It turns out, being on your bottom for hours at a time during the workday can flatten once-rounded behinds. Don’t let the silly social media nickname fool you, “office butt chair” is a legitimate thing caused by chronic sitting. “A lack of conditioning in your gluteus maximus and surrounding tissue leads to weakness, making it build up fat tissue and appear flatter or saggy,” explains occupational therapist Michael Milicia, in a recent report for the Cleveland Clinic.
But the chair itself isn’t to blame, the problem really comes from not moving more throughout the workday. Without breaks for movement, all that sitting can cause the booty to get flabby, flat and saggy. Fortunately, getting up, walking and doing exercise breaks every half hour or so while you’re on the job can help you avoid the “office chair butt.” A few reps of these can help balance the effects of sitting at your desk for hours on end.
- Standing during a phone call
- Walking to a coworker’s office for a face-to-face talk, instead of sending an email
- Inviting co-workers to do a walking meeting
- Taking the stairs instead of the elevator
- Going to a restroom that’s a little farther away
- Switching to a sit-stand desk
- Try a walking pad under your desk
- Butt clenches
- Marching in place
- Heel lifts
- Toe lifts
- Ankle circles⠀
Source: NY Post
Scott's Thoughts:
- Of course, if you’re into the look of a flapjack fanny, then just keep on sitting!
- How about sitting during a movie marathon? Can I get couch butt?
- I try to walk around some during the day.