We subject our bodies to a lot of stress every day. Between sitting for work and relaxing after work, our bodies are immobile quite a bit. You may have a nice home office chair that you feel is good enough to sit in all day without repercussions; however, the human body needs a lot of support to sit comfortably and to stay healthy.
Investing in a seat cushion may help to improve your overall quality of sitting and reduce your chances of problems in the future.
Science Of Sitting
On average, we sit for about 9.3 hours a day. Sitting is not natural for human bodies because thousands of years ago, we spent all our time running, hunting, and gathering. But in today’s modern age, we are usually required to sit in order to do our jobs. This can contribute to lower back pain, muscle soreness, and obesity.
But sitting doesn’t have to be bad for you if you do it right. When sitting, your weight should be dispersed. This will make sure that no pressure is constantly aggravating your body. It will also allow your blood to flow freely without constriction and let your muscles relax more.
Spring support, like what you find in mattresses, is outdated. Springs can actually cause damage to your posture and back. When you sit on springs, your weight is pushed back at you, and the force is applied back to your body. This pressure can cause joint pain and even muscle spasms. The ideal material for a back cushion or ergonomic seat cushion is memory foam because it molds to your body to increase comfort levels.
Benefits Of A Seat Cushion
Seat cushions made of supportive materials can provide comfort and relief for your body. They can help you sit in a healthy position, which can improve your posture and reduces stress on your pressure points. Having good posture can reduce pain in your body.
People who suffer from hemorrhoids, fatigue, and varicose veins can especially benefit from buying a seat cushion. They can help reduce the risk of injury from sitting for long periods of time and make the pain more manageable for those who suffer from chronic back or coccyx issues.
Do Seat Cushions Help Back Pain?
The best seat cushions are often built with an ergonomic design to support a healthy posture. They are also designed to fit the curves of the human body and can distribute your body weight better than a regular chair can. This takes unnecessary pressure off your spine, greatly reducing overall discomfort. It also takes the pressure off the tailbone, or aylio coccyx, and sciatic nerve.
Features To Look For In A Seat Cushion
So what should you look for when shopping for a seat cushion? Here are a few things:
The material of the filling is important. A lot of cushions use memory foam inside or another type of high density foam filling. You want something that will remain firm after plenty of uses.
Another thing to look for is that the lumbar support pillow is ergonomically designed. A lot of cushions have a curved shape that is meant for providing extra relief and back support. Some cushions feature a contoured surface for more cushioning support, but this feature is not comfortable for everyone.
If you are looking to help relieve an existing medical condition, like sciatica, you should consider this when looking for a seat cushion. Cushions will often highlight what they can help with, like sciatic nerve pain, pregnancy, hip pain, or bulging discs.
You should also look for a good seat cushion that has a removable cover that is easy to clean. This is good for hygiene and making sure your seat cushion stays comfortable for long hours. A lot of washable covers can be removed with a zipper and cleaned in a washing machine. A non-slip rubber bottom is also a good feature to ensure that you cushion stays where you put it.
What Is A Memory Foam Seat Cushion
Memory foam was created by NASA and is often used in mattress toppers and all kinds of cushions. It is a dense foam often referred to as viscoelastic polyurethane foam. This combines the concepts of viscosity and elasticity.
Memory foam seat cushions are extremely effective at providing more tailored, orthopedic support for your body. They can help improve circulation and weight distribution as well. Memory foam causes the least mean pressure on the body compared to other types of cushions.
The cushion does not completely flatten when you sit on it but rather, it forms to your body, providing adequate support for your entire body.
When your body presses into a chair, it can restrict blood flow in the thighs and buttocks. When your circulation is poor, it can lead to blood clots and a host of other issues. Memory foam can greatly decrease the compression of the blood vessels in your body when you sit.
A lot of chairs in offices do not provide much support. They are usually slightly adjustable but are difficult to sit on for long periods of time. Usually, people end up leaning forward or slouching backward, neither of which are good for your posture. This could be improved with a lumbar support cushion.
Memory foam cushions are designed to help give your lumbar support by creating a more even pressure distribution for your body. This means that you can improve your posture without even having to actively do anything.
Not only can this type of cushion improve posture, but it can also help target the underlying cause of your body’s aches and pains due to sitting. If you put a lot of pressure on your feet while sitting, you should try using a memory foam footrest.
Sitting with poor circulation can affect you even after you stop working for the day. Decreased circulation can affect your energy levels. This is because the decreased blood circulation can actually slow down your metabolism and cause you to feel sluggish.
However, with a memory foam cushion that improves circulation, this means that after a long day of work, you’ll still be able to get things done.
Memory foam cushions can also help you if you often feel cold when sitting at your desk. They can absorb some of your body heat and store it. However, if you get overheated at work, some cushions can provide a cooling effect when you sit on them. This is usually accomplished with a gel seat cushion. Cushions may also feature cut outs that allow for more airflow.
Another benefit of this type of cushion is that it is hypoallergenic. This means you won’t have issues with dust mites and other allergens like pollen.
Take It Where You Go
One of the best parts of a seat cushion is that you can take it wherever you go. You can always bring your cushion with you in the car on your way to work and then use it at work too. This means they are perfect for people who are always on the road, like commuters. A seat cushion on your car seat for a long drive can make your day more enjoyable.
How Big?
When considering what seat cushion to buy, size definitely matters. Many seat cushions come in different sizes, according to your needs. You should measure your chair before buying a cushion to make sure it will fit correctly where you place it.
Measure the depth and the height of your seat accurately for the best results. You’ll also need to factor in if you have an odd-shaped chair. Make sure that you measure a rectangle or square shape within the area of the strangely shaped chair. If needed, you could buy a custom-made seat cushion if nothing on the market works for you.
Tips For People Who Sit A Lot
Sometimes sitting all day is unavoidable, but there are some things you can do to help yourself during this time. The first tip is obviously to invest in a seat cushion.
The next one is making sure to take time to stand and stretch. Little bursts of activity throughout your day can help improve your circulation and reduce your risk of heart disease and blood clots. Even if it’s just a quick trip to the water cooler, or a trip up and down the stairs, this can be helpful to your health.
Adding a little bit of activity during your day can help boost your productivity too. Sitting all day without a break can make the hours slip away. Try setting alarms to remind yourself to get up and take a walk.
In Summary
Seat cushions can make a world of difference in your life. The odds are that you sit for the majority of your day, so why not be comfortable doing it? A seat cushion, especially a memory foam one, can encourage a healthier spine and create a pain-free sitting experience for you.
Even if you don’t work in an office, seat cushions can make any chair or seat more enjoyable. Driving in your car, watching tv on your couch, or traveling by airplane can all be improved with the right seat cushion.
No matter what cushion you decide on, you will likely notice how much it improves your posture and reduces your pain, making everything more bearable.
Sources
https://aec-business.com/good-chair-cushion-matters-science-sitting/
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/how-to-sit-correctly/
https://azbigmedia.com/lifestyle/10-tips-for-choosing-a-seat-cushion
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