If you’re a parent, “tummy time” is probably a familiar term, considered by many to be key to the physical development of babies. But now, tummy time is trending for adults, too.
Getting out of your desk chair and spending some time on your stomach might seem awkward at first, but if you think about how long you sit in the same position much of the day — at the office, on the couch and in the car — it makes sense. Experts say it’s offsetting the effects of tech neck and tight hips, too.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average worker spends 45% of the day sitting. In addition to sitting, they stare at electronics all day; 91% of Americans own a smartphone. Screen-based lives might be causing a variety of orthopedic problems.
“Lying on your stomach for 10 or more minutes a day while watching TV or reading can improve bad posture and relieve ‘tech neck’ — the strain in our necks and shoulders caused by looking down at phones and laptops for hours each day,” said Julie Landis, a physical therapist and ergonomist in Washington, D.C.
Here’s what to know as you consider getting out of your chair and down on your belly — a position that’s no longer just for babies.
