Have you crossed your legs today?

Surprise check: Are you crossing your legs at this moment? I believe many people know that crossing your legs is harmful to your health, but they still can't change this bad habit. So today I will tell you why people like to cross their legs so much, and what harm will it bring to our body?

Why cross your legs?

Everyone has a different sitting posture. Some people like to sit upright, while others like to sit in a "Ge You pose". However, most people cannot do without the cross-legged posture. After sitting for a long time, people will unconsciously change to this posture, switching to the right leg when the left leg is tired. So why do people choose to cross their legs?

From a physiological point of view: the human body is always bearing its own weight. Whether you feel relaxed or tired when sitting depends mainly on two factors: first, the height of the center of gravity; second, the size of the support surface. The lower the center of gravity of a posture, the larger the support surface, and we will feel that the posture is more comfortable. When we sit upright on a stool, the support surface is actually relatively small, mainly supported by the sitting bones on both sides. But if you cross your legs, the support surface becomes a triangle connected by the sitting bones on both sides and the pressed knees. The support surface is much larger than the normal sitting posture. Under the premise that the center of gravity height remains unchanged, it is naturally more comfortable and refreshing.

From a psychological perspective: when we are "unconscious", it is actually the subconscious that tells the brain that it is safe here and we don't need to be vigilant, so the body will choose a more comfortable and relaxed posture, such as some people start shaking their legs, and some people cross their legs. These behaviors are mainly derived from our subconscious judgment of the surrounding environment. Sometimes we need to highlight our "superiority" or "sense of status", and the body will subconsciously make such movements.

The "Sugar-Coated Bullet" Behind Comfort

Although crossing our legs seems to make us feel relaxed physically and mentally, this benefit is actually insignificant compared to the harm it causes to other parts of the body.

The most serious harm is the impact of this posture on the waist. When we sit upright with our feet flat on the ground, the center of gravity of the whole person falls in the middle of the two ischial bones. But if you cross your legs, the center of gravity will shift to the left or right, the pelvis on both sides will be unevenly stressed, and the spine will have compensatory scoliosis. If you cross your legs for a long time, the spine will bend backward due to the forward leaning of the body, causing the lumbar intervertebral disc to degenerate and be damaged in the high-stress areas. More seriously, it will lead to the rupture of the fibrocartilage ring and the prolapse of the nucleus pulposus, forming a bulging (or protruding) intervertebral disc that troubles many people, compressing the nerves to cause pain in the waist, buttocks or lower limbs, and even movement disorders, greatly affecting daily life.

Some people may say: "Isn't it okay if I cross my legs alternately?" But in fact, when we cross our legs, our body needs to mobilize many other muscles to maintain balance. Over time, uneven shoulders, long and short legs, and unilateral lumbar muscle strain will all happen to you.

For people who already have intervertebral disc problems or other spinal problems, this sitting posture that aggravates the symptoms should be avoided. Studies have found that sitting with the backrest tilted back 135 degrees minimizes the pressure on the lumbar spine. At the same time, you must be careful not to sit for long periods of time. After working for a certain period of time, you should stand up and stretch to relax your muscles and reduce the pressure on your spine.

It’s never too late to mend

What should you do if you have developed a bad habit of crossing your legs? Change it quickly! Remind yourself anytime and anywhere not to cross your legs, or punish yourself when you find yourself crossing your legs, etc. It is effective. Although it does not require us to fight against desire like quitting smoking and drinking, the action of crossing your legs is done unconsciously most of the time. So you must give yourself enough hints or reminders, such as putting a sticky note on your workstation. For the sake of your own health, you must work hard to get rid of this not-so-good habit.

So far, friends who feel that they are in good health, what they need to do is to correct this habit and add appropriate exercise. Try to choose a form of exercise that is not so harmful to the lumbar spine or joints, such as swimming, which everyone says is good. Friends who do not have the conditions or like running, cycling, and other sports that are harmful to the joints, please try to avoid a single long-term high-intensity exercise, and be sure to exercise in the correct way. If you run once a week, it is recommended to run one day and rest one day, about 30 minutes each time; the frequency of spinning is 2-3 times a week, and the specifics must be guided by more professional people. After all, the incidence of sports injuries has been getting higher and higher in recent years, and people have to be on guard.

As for those who have already developed the symptoms mentioned above, don't worry. First of all, you must go to a professional medical institution for examination. Second, you must follow the doctor's advice and cooperate with the treatment. For patients with herniated discs, traction should be done if necessary, and surgery should be done if necessary. Doctors will definitely give the most professional advice. As for patients with varicose veins, some need to wear elastic stockings, and some need surgery. In short, it is the correction of bad habits (such as crossing your legs) combined with moderate exercise or correct treatment. You must take good care of your body and never seek temporary pleasure at the expense of your body.