Working from home is slowly becoming the new normal but that might mean that you might sit around all day. Here’s what to do when your glutes start hurting.
Bum Sore From Sitting All Day? Here’s What You Need To Do
When the coronavirus pandemic hit and we’re all forced to work from the comfort of our homes, it’s hard to deny that a lot of us may have looked at our couches or beds with excitement because it sure beats the boring office chair.
However, while the idea of sitting all day in the bed or couch while working sounds like a match made in heaven, the unfortunate truth is that it actually has consequences on our physical well-being especially our bums.
In fact, some of you may already be experiencing it, either as some soreness around your posterior or an ache in the same area whenever you stand up to walk around.
And the dangers go far more than simple aches and sores since studies show that people who sit for longer periods of time are more at risk of obesity. In fact, people with obesity sit for an average of two hours longer each day than people with a normal weight.
“Observational data from more than one million people reveals that the more sedentary you are, the more likely you are to die early,” John Abraham, the managing director of RapidPhysiocare, said.
So Where Do We Go From Here?
Well, the first and foremost step to help alleviate this is to change your habits especially when your lifestyle has become more sedentary.
“A sedentary lifestyle causes soreness and tightness in the gluteal muscles and hip flexors when they lengthen and tighten,” Fred Chen, principal musculoskeletal physiotherapist at Physio & Sole Clinic, said. “So, you need to avoid sitting for too long in the same position. Start walking and practising some mild stretching.”
Doing basic exercises that focus on the back and glutes can also do wonders. Experts recommend doing glute squeezes and hamstring stretches as part of a regular routine. Side-lying hip abductions and double bridging can also help relieve the soreness. Also, living a more active lifestyle even while we continue to stay indoors could help.
Lastly, improving your posture can also help your back. You can do this by sitting up straight and making sure your monitor is eye level or slightly below. Take breaks to walk around throughout the day as well.
