HOW TO SIT

STIFF AS A BOARD OR SLOUCHED LIKE A SLOTH? PULL UP A CHAIR AND TAKE THE WEIGHT OFF YOUR FEET AS BACK PAIN RESEARCHER DR KIERAN O’SULLIVAN EXPLAINS HOW TO SIT

- DR KIERAN O'SULLIVAN

THERE IS NO ‘RIGHT’ WAY TO SIT.

Interviewers expect you to sit up straight, and if you’re on a date, leaning forwards can make you seem interested. But when it comes to preventing aches and pains, there is no ‘right way’ to sit.

SLOUCHING ISN’T BAD.

People think that sitting upright is good and slouching is bad, but it’s a myth. There’s no evidence to support this. A big study in Australia, for example, found that if you follow people through life, the ones who develop chronic back pain aren’t the ones who were slouching or who had poor posture. Genetics, anxiety, sleep patterns and stress all play a role.

SITTING UP STRAIGHT ISN’T NICE.