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Articles from Gail McGonigal | Selfgrowth.com
- 10 Ways to Stay Active in Prolonged Sitting - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalErgonomic sitting is not a stationary sitting posture. It is designed to be a position of activity, where our body is active in productive performance. Our body needs continuous movement for balancing our spine on the pelvis, plus moving our upper and lower limbs in functionally active ...
Views: 1277 - 10 Ways to Stay Active in Prolonged Sitting - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalErgonomic sitting is not a stationary sitting posture. It is designed to be a position of activity, where our body is active in productive performance. Our body needs continuous movement for balancing our spine on the pelvis, plus moving our upper and lower limbs in functionally active ...
Views: 1081 - 3 Safety Issues With Ergonomic Chairs - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalSafety can only be dangerous with an ergonomic chair; if you perceive the chair as safe, when in fact it is NOT safe. Therefore you must learn to notice the safety issues around an ergonomic chair, because they are not always the same as a standard chair. It does not matter which ergonomic ...
Views: 1555 - 7 Ways to Relieve Back Pain in Ergonomic Chairs Using a Towel - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalIt is very easy to sit in a chair, but to sit in a chair for a long time with comfort is difficult. If you are sitting at a computer all day, then I would suggest try bringing a small or medium sized towel to your work area. You will be amazed at how much this piece of equipment will aid your ...
Views: 3263 - A Chair Is Not Just for Sitting! - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalSo what's that supposed to mean, if a chair is not just for sitting? It means that a chair has more than just one role. Sitting obviously is the first role, but the second role is movement. It is important while you are sitting that your body continues to move actively, or your body will ...
Views: 1151 - A Correct Way to Sit that Provides Therapeutic Comfort to Your Spine - by Submitted on Sep 11, 2011 from Gail McGonigalYour back or spinal column is the most important part of your skeletal body. Without your spinal column, functional mobility would be impaired and your comfort level in ergonomic sitting would greatly jeopardize your internal organs. The main purpose of the spinal column is to maintain the ...
Views: 1094 - A Correct Way to Sit that Provides Therapeutic Comfort to Your Spine - by Submitted on Sep 11, 2011 from Gail McGonigalYour back or spinal column is the most important part of your skeletal body. Without your spinal column, functional mobility would be impaired and your comfort level in ergonomic sitting would greatly jeopardize your internal organs. The main purpose of the spinal column is to maintain the ...
Views: 1138 - A More Serious Way To Damage Your Back Than Prolonged Sitting - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalProlonged sitting is only a problem when you remain still in one position without moving your spine along with the rest of your body. Moving your spine has a knock-on effect to all your skeletal joints and thus keeps your whole body in movement. A far more serious way of causing injury to ...
Views: 1110 - A New Approach to Active Living - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2011 from Gail McGonigalActive Living is about how we choose to 'live' our lives every day. It includes all the movements that we create, for accomplishing tasks for ourselves & others in our family, our work, recreation, plus everything that we "perform" for making "living" the content of our daily life. We live in ...
Views: 2346 - Back Pain - Why Not Think Ergonomic Solutions? - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalBack pain is one of the main reasons why people take time off work and why? It is because we spend too much time in sedentary, sloppy positions, doing very little movement and letting our muscles become lax and under-used. We have become a society that drives around in cars - to the shops, to ...
Views: 1328 - Can Ergonomic Sitting Help My Back Pain? - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalErgonomic sitting is a comfortable position to use, when you are sitting doing purposeful activity in an ergonomic chair. You actually don't need an ergonomic chair for sitting in comfort, but they are useful for providing the sitting support that you need when sitting on your pelvic bones in ...
Views: 1355 - Dangers in Daily Living: Vacuuming the Carpet - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalThe previous article wrote about the dangers to our spines, when mopping the kitchen floor. It may seem similar movements could be used to vacuum the carpets. However vacuuming requires greater strength, when pushing a mechanical piece of equipment compared to a mop. This is because the mop ...
Views: 1491 - Deep Breathing in Prolonged Sitting For Back Pain Relief - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalTo most people breathing is just a small movement in the lungs, for the purpose of gaining oxygen into the lungs that we need in order to live. Yet when using ergonomic sitting in an ergonomic chair, it makes sense to use long deep breaths at times. This will change the position of your sitting ...
Views: 1302 - Embrace Yoga Principles When Using Ergonomic Sitting - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalYoga principles encourage relaxation in the muscles of your body, along with deep breathing that calms the mind for optimum concentration towards the task at hand when sitting. Sitting on your pelvic bones in an ergonomic chair, with your stocking feet wrapped around the chair base, is like ...
Views: 1092 - Erase Chronic Pain Permanently With Comfortable, Safe and Active Daily Living Movements - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalHow does anyone find comfort when they are always hurting? Does everyone have their own solutions for getting rid of pain? I use to take my mind off my pain by sinking into my favorite armchair and just sitting and reading a book, watching a film on TV; or eating something wildly decadent, ...
Views: 1205 - Ergonomic Chairs - The Dangers Inherent in Transfers With Back Pain - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalErgonomic Chairs are designed to maintain your comfort when performing work based activities throughout the day. It means that people who have back problems are more likely to choose this type of chair, for easing their back discomforts. As an Occupational Therapist, my expertise is safety ...
Views: 1559 - Ergonomics - What Does it Mean? - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2011 from Gail McGonigalThe word ergonomic is the study of the interaction between individuals, machines or appliances in their environment that can affect their performance and productivity. The purpose of ergonomic is to assess the interaction, or relationship between each component for determining optimum ...
Views: 2542 - Five Ways to Make Ergonomic Sitting More Comfortable - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalErgonomic sitting is a position to sit for performing work-based activities through the day. It is not a position of inactive rest. Our body needs to be aware of active movement, for creating comfort in our sitting posture and to stimulate balance in the spine that activates balance for ...
Views: 1202 - Getting Up and Out of a Chair Is a Therapeutic Exercise - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalIt may seem like a good idea, to have a chair where the seat automatically lifts you out; without having the struggle of doing it for yourself. However, I need to be cautious of buying gadgets to help yourself in daily living, because if you are finding this activity difficult to manage; then ...
Views: 1328 - Getting Up and Out of a Chair Is a Therapeutic Exercise - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalIt may seem like a good idea, to have a chair where the seat automatically lifts you out; without having the struggle of doing it for yourself. However, I need to be cautious of buying gadgets to help yourself in daily living, because if you are finding this activity difficult to manage; then ...
Views: 1090 - Heal Your Back Pain Without Costing a Dime - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalBack pain is one of the main causes for visits to your family doctor and why? People believe that because their spine is made up of separate vertebral joints, the spinal joints are designed to flex or bend. Our back or spine is probably the most delicate part of our anatomy and we need to ...
Views: 1155 - Hiring a House-Cleaner Means You're Paying Someone to Do Your Daily Ergonomic Activity - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalWhy pay someone else to do your housework? When in fact it is a method for you to practice Yoga; or for completing purposeful exercises in a manner that is useful to your body and provides you with a clean home! Your excuse may like mine use to be - I don't have the time for the cleaning! Or ...
Views: 1268 - How To Create An Ergonomic Chair - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalYou are thinking of getting an ergonomic chair. Well done! Your decision to think ergonomic means you care about your skeletal joints so that you suffer less discomforts in daily life. My knowledge as a trained Occupational Therapist, along with our mission to protect your joints, preserve your ...
Views: 2766 - How to Sit in a Chair All Day With Comfort - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalWe spend a large portion of our day in the sitting position; yet why is it so uncomfortable to sit all day? Unfortunately, the human body is not designed to remain permanently in one place. It is designed to constantly move, so any prolonged sitting is naturally going feel uncomfortable. To ...
Views: 1242 - Obesity - Small Health Changes Can Make a Big Difference - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2011 from Gail McGonigalLife is tough for anyone who is trying to make healthy changes in life and it is no easier for people like you, who also desire to have the perfect figure. How can it be achieved, when we are bombarded with so much tempting food advertising, by females having those ultra-slim bodies! It is ...
Views: 1248 - Obesity - Strategic Goal Planning, Not Dieting For Permanent Health Changes! - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2011 from Gail McGonigalWhatever we do in life, we immediately plan towards an action. It's not written out; we just get up and do it! That is basically how we operate in life. Now think of what you want to do, that will improve on your health. What you need is a goal. It is a direction, or a purpose for ...
Views: 1510 - Obesity is About Changing Your Lifestyle and Not About Trying to Lose Weight - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalIf you are constantly obsessed with food, by depriving yourself of what you enjoy; then the changes are that you will actually never win the battle of trying to lose weight. Every time I said to myself "Right I am going on a Diet! I would suddenly have this strong desire to have something ...
Views: 1143 - Reduce Obesity Fast by Drinking Alkaline Ionized Water - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2011 from Gail McGonigalI have already written an article about the importance of drinking fresh tap water instead of carbonated and fruit drinks. The main reason for this is because you are only drinking calories made up of sugar, which has no value to your body, except leaving behind acidic ions. If you are obese, ...
Views: 2143 - Riding a Bicycle is Cheaper Than Visiting a Chiropractor - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalYes, it is true that if you ride a bicycle regularly, you will not have to visit a chiropractor for erasing your sciatic pain. I can vouch for this, because I have suffered postural scoliosis in my spine since I was a teenager, caused from one leg being longer than the other by 3 cms, or one ...
Views: 1539 - Safety in Ergonomic Chairs - A Safer Way to Transfer For Big and Tall People - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalMost people never think about safety, when sitting in an ergonomic chair. However, safety is an important area to consider, because of the risks inherent in movement. If you're moving incorrectly, this may cause an injury to your skeletal joints, or the ergonomic chair itself may not be safe for ...
Views: 1520 - Sitting on a Ball Means Your Back Never Remains Still - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalHave you ever tried sitting on a balance ball? It is not recommended if you are concentrating on another task; because you will likely to fall off. A ball has no secure position for your pelvic bones, because of the natural curve in the ball. You will likely put pressure on one side or the ...
Views: 1121 - The Dangers in Daily Living: Picking Up a Feather - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalWhether you are picking up a feather or a sack of potatoes; the principles of bending over and reaching to the floor are the same. Always remember that your spine is not designed to bend into a 90 degree angle. There is no flexibility in the spine. It is your legs that need the movement and not ...
Views: 1098 - The Dangers in Daily Living: Washing the Kitchen Floor - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalHousework is one of the main ways that many people injure their backs, by simply not using the correct muscles or joints in the movements required for accomplishing the task. The main option for cleaning the floor is to use a kitchen mop. If your kitchen is large, then you are more likely to ...
Views: 1150 - The Dangers of Wearing High-Heeled Stiletto Shoes - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalHow can anyone manage to walk comfort when walking in high-heeled stiletto shoes? It seems that there are guidelines on the internet that show you how to balance in these incredibly high-heeled shoes, or stilettos as they are called in the fashion world. Sadly I must inform you about the ...
Views: 2833 - The Dangers to Your Spine in Daily Living - Brushing Your Teeth - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalWhat! A simple task as brushing your teeth? How can this be so dangerous? I have done it this way for years and it's never been a problem! The fact that you have repeated the same motion for years may be the reason why your back is now giving you problems. It may be that you are so accustomed ...
Views: 1089 - The Fifth of Seven Sins in Obesity - Poor Time Management - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2011 from Gail McGonigalIt is hoped that by now, you are able see the development of how obesity advanced in the western culture, with the advent of the motor vehicle. As I have declared, it is not entirely your fault; because the pattern has been driven by big corporations; for attracting families into seeing their ...
Views: 1272 - The First of Seven Sins in Obesity - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalThis article is not directed to any woeful sins that you are currently enjoying that are causing your obesity. The sins are what is society is creating, that makes it difficult for you to lose weight. I feel that you need to understand what these sins are, in the hope that you can learn to ...
Views: 1182 - The Fourth of Seven Sins in Obesity - Changing Family Dynamics - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2011 from Gail McGonigalWe have now reached the fourth reason that is driving obesity in the western culture, which is not entirely due to the individual. I consider that the western culture corporations have designed this pattern, firstly by encouraging everyone to use a car for transportation, instead of their own ...
Views: 1285 - The Healing Properties of Water - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalThe benefits of water cannot be over-emphasized for hydrating the human body, since we consists of 80% water. It is a survival necessity in our daily life, because the more we move in purposeful activity; the more energy we generate and the more water evaporates from our body. We constantly need ...
Views: 1251 - The Healing Properties of Water - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalThe benefits of water cannot be over-emphasized for hydrating the human body, since we consists of 80% water. It is a survival necessity in our daily life, because the more we move in purposeful activity; the more energy we generate and the more water evaporates from our body. We constantly need ...
Views: 1127 - The Second Sins of Obesity - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalThis article is the second in a series, where I am trying to explain the reasons for the transformation of our size and shape into obesity. In the western culture, we have a market explosion of advertising in every direction that confuses life with 'need' and 'wants'. There are too many choices ...
Views: 1177 - The Second Sins of Obesity - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalThis article is the second in a series, where I am trying to explain the reasons for the transformation of our size and shape into obesity. In the western culture, we have a market explosion of advertising in every direction that confuses life with 'need' and 'wants'. There are too many choices ...
Views: 1143 - The Sixth of Seven Sins in Obesity - Sedentary Leisure Activities - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2011 from Gail McGonigalFollowing on from time management skills, do we actually have time for leisure activities? It is questionable whether anyone plans to have leisure time, or whether you are like me; you just grab it now and again, when someone offers you a hike up the "Grouse Grind" or something else active and ...
Views: 1175 - The Third of Seven Sins in Obesity - Dehydration - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2011 from Gail McGonigalAfter going through the first two reasons why the western population is gaining so much weight.; we come to the third reason which is dehydration. I am inclined not to attribute all the blame to you personally, because we live in a society where we are bombarded with advertising. It is ...
Views: 1297 - Thinking Ergonomic Will Change Your Focus From Food to Healthy Living - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2011 from Gail McGonigalThe word ergonomic is used to understand the positive relationship that is involved between equipment, the human and the environment in task related activities of daily life. The relationship has to be positive for you to remain comfortable and successful in performance activities, such as in ...
Views: 1225 - Three Therapeutic Movements for Providing Comfort in Ergonomic Chairs - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalBack Therapy provides massage to the spine within each individual vertebra and will be a positive way to start your day, while you are sitting performing your productive activity such as typing on the computer. To do this effectively, you first need to sit on your pelvic bones, as this will ...
Views: 929 - Understanding Obesity is Not About Diet and Exercise, But Overcoming Comfort Eating - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2011 from Gail McGonigalWhat is obesity? According to Wikipedia, obesity is described as a medical condition where excess fat collects around the body; causing adverse health problems that can reduce life expectancy". I though about this and questioned my family doctor, whether he considered 'obesity' to be a ...
Views: 1387 - Waking Up in the Morning With Back Pain - What Will Make it Go Away? - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalThe main causes of back pain are lack of movement in your spine. As a writer about back pain, because I have suffered back pain myself with postural scoliosis in my spine; I will admit that it happens to us all, if we don't practice what we preach! None of us are perfect and I am no ...
Views: 1189 - What Causes the Pain in Your Back? - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalOverall the pains in your back originate from a serious lack of movement in your skeletal joints, that are used for performing your daily living activities. This is probably not the answer you want to hear; because you believe that you're doing all the right movements, when getting around ...
Views: 947 - What Causes the Pain in Your Back? - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Gail McGonigalOverall the pains in your back originate from a serious lack of movement in your skeletal joints, that are used for performing your daily living activities. This is probably not the answer you want to hear; because you believe that you're doing all the right movements, when getting around ...
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