Make the Most of Sitting, Standing, and Walking

You’re going to be doing all three anyway.

I was 26 when a doctor told me that I had been brushing my teeth wrong all my life. Apparently, you’re supposed to brush vertically, not horizontally. However, I suspect, because of this and of the unnecessary vigor I employ while brushing, some of my gum is receding.

Anyway, that is an example to illustrate that you can think you’re doing something right all your life and then get told differently, only to find out later on that perhaps the advice has its drawbacks as well.

Please keep that in mind as you (hopefully) read the rest of this article.

Sitting

How do you sit? Really, pay attention to it. Do you slouch? Now, if I’m going to rant for a few hundred words about why you shouldn’t slouch and perhaps back it up with links to some peer-reviewed studies, then this article shouldn’t exist in the first place. I give you enough credit to know you shouldn’t slouch, but you probably do anyway.

Sit Up Straight

Okay, it may look like I’m reneging on my implicit promise not to nag about slouching, but here instead of telling you not to do something I’m giving you something specific to do.

No, the specific advice isn’t the subheading; it’s this: Sit at a right angle (90 degrees). Your back and your butt should make a perpendicular angle. Is this the same as “sit up straight”? Perhaps. Well, how about this?

Sit on the Edge of Your Seat

Yup. Pretend you’re watching an engaging movie. I mean, c’mon, ideally, you should be on the edge of your seat at all times. It’s your own life that you’re living. You should be excited about it.

It’ll also help you to keep your back straight.

Tighten Your Abs But Relax Your Shoulders

Finally, something new? Sounds contradictory? Not really. Tightening your abs will improve your posture, and relaxing your shoulders will allow you to better perform the task at hand, whether it’s on pen and paper or on a computer.

Standing

That last one applies here too. Also:

Plant Your Feet

No, don’t add water and watch them grow. Place them firmly on the ground/floor. Don’t tip-toe. Don’t rock back and forth. But it is, however, wise to switch between putting the weight on the balls of your feet and the heels. I've got to switch it up. Don’t want to overwork any muscle group.

Bend Your Knees

No, you’re not Jon Snow acquiescing to Daenerys’s repeated demand (and it should be one knee anyway). You want to make sure you’re not putting too much pressure on those sensitive joints. Don’t lock your knees.

Unfortunately, unlike above, I don’t have a suggestion for the degrees you should bend your knees. Is “slightly” specific enough? The point is to let your thighs do more of the work.

Hang Your Arms

I’m aware that some individuals are hesitant to do this because it feels like you’re doing nothing with your arms. Many of us like to cross our arms or stab our hands into our pockets because at least we’re doing something with our limbs. But hanging is an activity.

Have you done hanging leg lifts? They’re not the easiest workout, right?

Now, just think of hanging your arms while standing as a mini-workout for your arms. Very mini. But it’s not nothing.

Walking

That last one applies here too. But let’s get more specific. And, I’m sorry, this is where I say it’s better not to do something.

Don’t Swing Your Arms

It’s a lot harder than it sounds. Try it.

Don’t Drag Your Feet

Also, a lot harder than it sounds. I mean, how hard can it be, right? Lift one foot, put it down a little farther forward than it was before, and repeat with the other one. Ideally, unless you’re sneaking around, your heels should touch the ground/floor before the balls of your feet do.

Look Straight Ahead But Keep Your Peripheral Vision Open

That’s a long one.

Here’s a short one: Please don’t walk and look at your phone.

Be present.

I’ll Get Out of Your Way Now.

This only gets its own heading because I didn’t want the sentence to go under the previous subheading.

Thanks for bearing with me.

Dash Ip does take his own advice, which is probably why he looks to you like he’s walking funny.

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