Alternatives to Typical Office and Classroom Seating
Did you know that the average person spends approximately 10 hours a day sitting?
One way to decrease the amount of time spent sitting and improve on task attention, core strength, postural stability, and circulation is to incorporate flexible seating into the workspace.
Flexible seating allows for fidgeting, wiggling, and expending excess energy. It can help everybody, young or old, maintain a regulated state during seated tasks and improve posture for long term benefits. Consider trialing any of these flexible seating options for yourself or your child at home, then expanding it to school or the workplace if it proves to be beneficial.
Exercise Balls
Sitting on an exercise ball engages the core muscles, promotes improved posture, and dynamic sitting balance. They also engage the vestibular system and provide proprioceptive input to the joints. Proprioceptive input helps calm and focus the brain and body for work tasks.
Wiggle Cushions
A subtler version of a therapy ball, providing many of the same benefits, to a lesser degree. They are easy to transfer and can be utilized in the car, at a restaurant, and on the floor. They can also double as a booster seat for smaller children. The minor hip movements these cushions allow can activate the spine and strengthen deep core muscles. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures. Most cushions have one strongly textured side, and one smoother, less textured side; for quick and easy transition between textures, just simply flip the cushion.
Exercise Bands for Feet
Placing an exercise band or loop band around the legs of a table, chair, or desk gives the feet something to do to expel excess energy.
Pressing the feet against the band provides regulating deep pressure and proprioceptive input to the feet while simultaneously working and stretching the leg muscles.
Cushions for Chair Legs
Place these cushions on each chair leg to allow for quiet, continuous movement while remaining seated. These cushions snap onto standard school chairs and are an easy way to allow students to direct excess energy for improved focus during seated work.
Standing Desks
Standing improves blood flow and allows weight shifting, fidgeting, and can alleviate pressure on the back.
A standing desk with a stool or a desk with an adjustable height, allows for standing and sitting throughout the day as necessary.
Lap Desks
Lap desks are a great versatile way to work anywhere. They can provide a sturdy surface for a device or work task while seated on the couch, floor, bed, or can even be placed on top of a table/surface for a makeshift standing desk.
Wobble Stools
These versatile stools have a circular base to allow for movement in all directions. They activate the vestibular system and promote core strength. They can provide a stable surface or roll in a 360 degree circle.
