Whether you’re sitting at your desk in the office or working from home, the likelihood is that you probably sit in a chair while you work.
Chairs are an essential part of everyday life, and it’s not just a modern luxury. In fact, the very first chairs appeared in Ancient Egypt, and the act of “sitting” soon became one of status. Everyone sat on stools or on the ground, but chairs with backs or armrests were reserved for only the elite.
It’s important to remember that humans have not used chairs for most of our time on earth, humans have not used chairs. Many early humans chose to squat or perch on convenient objects such as logs or large rocks on the ground.
Even nowadays in parts of Asia, many people prefer to sit on the floor, whether that be in a cross-legged position or in a deep squat while sitting on their heels. But what about stools?
Sit back, relax, and let’s take a look...
Are backless stools good for you?
There is some debate regarding whether backs without back support are healthier or worse for your back and overall health.
More research is needed, but there are several topics we can look into. There is no way to slouch in a chair that does not have a back. As a result, they encourage better posture than seats with backs.
Healthy blood flow is also associated with good posture. When we sit straight, our organs are naturally positioned and may function better than when we sit scrunched up.
When we stand or sit with proper posture, our circulation improves and it is simpler to take deep breaths. This can also speed up the delivery of oxygen to the brain.
According to recent studies, using a backless chair or stool increases focus and involvement. A backless or ergonomically backed chair can also promote a more active sitting position.
You may also want to be mindful of active seats and wobble chairs. These seats and stools move and wobble, engaging muscles throughout the body.
Our cognitive functioning and performance tend to improve when we move. This could help us boost engagement and productivity. Backless stools allow the user to sit up straight, maintain good posture, and move around while working.
The elevated seated posture provides a downward slope to the user’s thigh position, which can assist relieve back pain. This is because the spine will be able to naturally curve as it should. This may help to alleviate backaches and pains.
When you sit on your stool, you should sit up straight with your back straight. Shoulders should be pushed back. Your bottom should be at the back end of the stool for maximum comfort.
If your chair or stool has a back, however, it is preferable to sit closer to the edge to enhance posture and encourage active sitting. Experts advise against crossing your legs when sitting on a stool.
Your knees should always be below your hips when sat on a stool and your thighs should be positioned at a slight incline. Also, your feet should be firm and flat on the ground comfortably.
For the best experience when sitting on a stool, and to lessen your chances of experiencing back pain, you should ensure that your body weight is always centered and placed evenly on both of your hips.
When you get off a stool, you should do so by straightening your legs without bending your body forward at the waist. Then, slowly extend your back. Also, we recommend stretching regularly throughout the day to ensure maximum comfort and good posture.
Are office chairs good for you?
Some people say that office chairs are bad for your back, and they may be correct. The 90-90-90 sitting position is a well-known sitting position.
This is the position in which your elbows, hips, and knees are all at 90-degree angles. Despite the fact that this position has been recommended for years, it appears to position the back awkwardly.
Many office chairs additionally include lumbar support. For some people, adding lumbar support may correct some alignment or improve posture.
To restore the natural curve of the spine, lumbar support pushes against the small of the back. This, however, does not address the concerns produced by the uncomfortable sitting position.
Sit with your knees below your hips to best decrease back discomfort and other problems caused by sitting. The only way to sit like this is to sit up high in a chair, which is simpler with stools than office chairs.
That isn't to imply there aren't ergonomically proper methods to sit in office chairs, or that all office chairs are terrible for your back and overall health.
Stools vs Chairs: Which is better?
It’s clear that both backless stools and regular office chairs have their advantages as well as their disadvantages. If you've discovered that using a standing desk with a chair isn't comfortable for you, a stool may be the solution you're looking for.
Stools are often beneficial for your back for a few reasons. For example, a stool is great at putting the back and spine in their natural position. This can help to relieve excessive stress, which is particularly useful when sitting for long periods of time, such as in the office.
The backache should then gradually lessen over time as you use it more often. This is due to the elevated position allowing you to sit straight up and avoid the temptation to slouch. A high sitting stool will also allow the thighs to slope downwards, which will benefit the back as well.
Also, it’s believed that using a stool encourages active sitting. This has the biggest potential benefits because it allows you to develop your core and back muscles. This is not only good for your back, but it is also good for your entire health.
