Why you should sit on the floor

When given the choice of a cozy couch, recliner chair, or the hard floor, which do you choose?

Most people would likely NOT choose the floor! 

But that’s exactly what we should choose, at least for a few moments. Did you know that simply sitting on the ground can help you live longer and stronger?

The ability to get up from the floor was a significant predictor of longevity in people ages 51-80, according to a 2014 study (1). The study found that those who had difficulty getting up from the floor were more likely to die during the researchers’ follow-up period. 

Another study in 2020 found similar results and concluded that men and women of all ages should aim to get down to and up from the floor with ease (2).

What’s so great about sitting on the floor? Turns out, a lot!

Benefits to sitting on the floor

The ability to move from standing to sitting on the floor and getting back again is a reflection of overall health and function. This is why it’s been linked to longevity.  So let’s take a look at the benefits of sitting on the ground. 

Improve balance, coordination, and mobility

You may not think much about what’s required when sitting on the floor, but your body does a lot. Balance is involved, along with coordinating stable body movements.

Moving into a floor-seated position requires joint mobility in your feet, ankles, knees, hips, elbows, shoulders, and wrists.  Sitting on the floor regularly can support both balance and mobility. 

Maintain muscle strength

Muscles must stabilize your joints as you sit down and get up. Not only that but your core and leg muscles are required. You’ll notice your leg muscles working when you get up from the floor! 

Support good posture

Most of us sit in less-than-ideal chairs or couches that don’t support healthy posture. Sitting on the floor can encourage you to sit more upright. 

This might be one to work on because it can be easy to slouch sitting on the floor if your back is in a curved position throughout most of your day. 

You want to make sure you sit tall with your torso straight and shoulders not rounded. I have tips below to help with this.

Keeps you grounded

I’ve always found sitting on the floor to be energetically grounding. Even though you’re on a floor in a house, you’re still closer to the Earth than when you’re sitting in a chair. 

Try sitting on the floor 

• when you’re feeling scattered, overwhelmed, or really distracted try sitting on the floor. 

• during seasonal changes (especially summer to fall and winter to spring).

• on windy days.

You might be surprised at how much more grounded you feel.

Tips to sit on the floor

You might think this all sounds fine and dandy but aren’t sure how to comfortably sit on the floor. Let me offer some tips. 

Start small

Maybe you don’t sit on the floor immediately but instead sit on a lower chair or stool. Do that for a while until you can sit down and get up with ease. 

Raise your hips

I suggest that you raise your hips up by sitting on a pillow, blanket, floor cushion, or yoga block. This does several things.

• Places your pelvis in better alignment with your spine.

• Allows you to easily sit tall and keep your shoulders over your hips.

• Allows to more easily broaden your chest (not round the shoulders).

I often sit on my cork yoga block and also have a meditation cushion I rotate in. 

Change leg positions

Try out different leg positions when sitting on the floor. Find what works best for you. You can try

• Cross-legged

• One foot in front of the other

• Legs straight out in front of you

• Bent knees with feet flat on the ground

You don’t have to get rid of furniture or spend all day on the floor, but sitting on the floor (and getting up from it) is key to maintaining mobility, muscle strength, and support a healthy body. 

Do you like to sit on the floor? Comment below!

Sources:

1.Brito, L. B., Ricardo, D. R., Araújo, D. S., Ramos, P. S., Myers, J., & Araújo, C. G. (2014). Ability to sit and rise from the floor as a predictor of all-cause mortality. European journal of preventive cardiology, 21(7), pages 892–898. https://doi.org/10.1177/2047487312471759

2. Claudio Gil S Araújo, Claudia Lucia B Castro, João Felipe C Franca, Denise SMS Araújo, (2020) Sitting–rising test: Sex- and age-reference scores derived from 6141 adults, European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, Volume 27(8), pages 888–890, https://doi.org/10.1177/2047487319847004