Do you find yourself sitting more than you should? If so, there is no reason to be ashamed – lots of us do.
In fact, even though many people are more concerned with their health than ever before, there are plenty of people who sit for long periods of time every day. Whether you are sitting at school, at work, or at home after a long day, sitting for extended amounts of time can have long-term damaging effects on our health.
The obvious repercussions of sitting for long periods of time are weight gain and blood clots, but did you know that sitting could also weaken your hips?
If you think you do not need to worry about your hips tightening and weakening from sitting for too long, you should reconsider your stance. If your hips become weak or too tight, you are going to have bad posture, which will lead to back and knee pain. Here is a look at what you can do to reverse the effects of sitting.
There are some simple stretches that you can do to help strengthen and loosen up your hips, and you can even do some of these at the office or while watching your favourite show on TV!
Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch.
This is a great hip stretch for beginngers because you do not have to be very flexible to do it. You will start in the lunge position and place both hands on the front knee. From there, straighten your back hip by pushing the hips forward and hold for ten seconds. Repeat on the other side.
Seated Pigeon Stretch.
This move is great for improving your ability to squat deeper, run faster, and jump higher. It also helps relieve back pain. Sitting on the floor with both knees bent, place your palms on the floor behind you. Put your right ankle on the left knee and bring the right knee close to your chest to stretch the hips even more. Hold this for about ten seconds, and then try the other side.
Spiderman Stretch.
This stretch is pretty simple, and it feels great! You will need to get into the push-up position and then step forward with your left foot until it is in line with your left hand. Keep your right foot planted steady and then push the hips for about five seconds. Do this five times on each side.
If you find that these stretches are not helping to loosen up your hips and improve your flexibility, you may need to seek the help of a personal trainer. Good luck!
