Prioritise floor time and exercise for improved overall health

Spending time on the floor every day at home offers numerous wellness benefits that contribute to overall health and well-being. Here are some reasons why incorporating floor time into your daily routine is important:

1. Improves Flexibility and Mobility

Regularly getting down on the floor helps maintain and improve tissue flexibility and joint mobility. The act of getting up and down alone, serves significant purpose and plays a crucial role for your future. Engaging in activities such as stretching, yoga, mobility or simply playing with children or pets on the floor can prevent stiffness and enhance range of motion.

2. Strengthens Core Muscles

Floor activities often involve movements that engage your core muscles. Exercises like planks, core stability, pilates routines or simply transitioning from sitting to standing positions can strengthen your abdominal and back muscles, promoting better support, stability and overall health.

3. Promotes Natural Movement Patterns

Spending time on the floor encourages natural movement patterns that we often lose as we spend more time sitting in chairs. These movements, such as squatting, kneeling, and sitting cross-legged, are beneficial for maintaining functional fitness and overall body strength.

4. Supports Spinal Health

Sitting on the floor with proper posture can encourage better spinal alignment and reduce the strain on your lower back that comes from prolonged sitting in chairs. It is always important to remember to never stay in one position for prolonged periods. Continual movement is optimal.

5. Enhances Blood Circulation

Changing positions and moving around on the floor can improve blood circulation. Unlike prolonged sitting, which can lead to poor circulation and associated health issues, floor activities keep the blood flowing more efficiently throughout your body.

6. Encourages Mindfulness and Relaxation

Floor time can be an opportunity to engage in mindful practices like meditation or deep breathing exercises. Sitting or lying on the floor can create a sense of grounding and calm, helping to reduce stress and promote mental well-being.

7. Facilitates Interaction and Play

If you have young children or pets, spending time on the floor can enhance your interactions with them. It allows for more engaging playtime, fostering stronger bonds and providing a more enriching experience for both you and your loved ones.

8. Supports Functional Fitness

Engaging in floor-based activities mimics the functional movements we perform in daily life. This type of functional fitness training can improve your ability to perform everyday tasks, from bending and lifting to getting up from a seated position, with greater ease and less risk of injury.

9. Promotes Better Digestion

Sitting on the floor in a cross-legged position (like in a yoga pose) after meals can aid digestion. This practice, common in many cultures, can help facilitate the digestive process and prevent issues like bloating, indigestion, reflux and more.

10. Increases Awareness of Body Mechanics

Spending time on the floor makes you more aware of your body mechanics and how you move. This awareness can lead to better movement habits and reduced risk of injury, as you become more attuned to your body's needs and limitations.

Conclusion

Incorporating daily floor time into your home wellness routine offers a multitude of benefits, from improved physical health and flexibility to enhanced mental well-being and stronger family bonds. By making a conscious effort to spend more time on the floor, you can cultivate a more active, mindful, and healthy lifestyle.