Sit Down Safely #shorts

Raise your hand if you’ve ever had to mentally prepare before you sit down somewhere 🙋‍♀️

Like... How low is that surface?
Will I be able to sit down without plopping/falling?
Will I be able to stand up?
Will I need someone to help me stand up?
Will people stare at me?

People with MS are forced to think harder about everyday moments than most people.

So, it’s perfectly normal to think about the height of a surface before sitting down to make sure you’ll be able to get back up without difficulty 💥

My clients with MS often have this thought before…

✔️ Sitting on a bench at the park
✔️ Taking their seat in a restaurant
✔️ Relaxing into a low couch
✔️ Playing on the floor with their kids or grandkids

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone! Luckily, there are ways you can make it easier.

Here are some tips to help you stand up from low (or soft/squishy) surfaces:

1️⃣ Scoot forward — being further back makes standing up harder.

2️⃣ Widen your feet for better balance — the narrower your feet, the harder and more off balance.

3️⃣ Hinge forward so your shoulders are over your toes — the further back your shoulders, the harder.

4️⃣ Push your feet down like you’re trying to move the floor away from you.

5️⃣ Push your knees outward to activate your glutes and make standing easier.

You can use this technique in real-life situations AND as an exercise.

Have you ever had this thought before sitting down? Comment below👇 to let me know!

[DoctorGretchenHawley]

Raise your hand if you’ve ever had to mentally prepare before you sit down somewhere 🙋‍♀️

Like... How low is that surface?
Will I be able to sit down without plopping/falling?
Will I be able to stand up?
Will I need someone to help me stand up?
Will people stare at me?

People with MS are forced to think harder about everyday moments than most people.

So, it’s perfectly normal to think about the height of a surface before sitting down to make sure you’ll be able to get back up without difficulty 💥

My clients with MS often have this thought before…

✔️ Sitting on a bench at the park
✔️ Taking their seat in a restaurant
✔️ Relaxing into a low couch
✔️ Playing on the floor with their kids or grandkids

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone! Luckily, there are ways you can make it easier.

Here are some tips to help you stand up from low (or soft/squishy) surfaces:

1️⃣ Scoot forward — being further back makes standing up harder.

2️⃣ Widen your feet for better balance — the narrower your feet, the harder and more off balance.

3️⃣ Hinge forward so your shoulders are over your toes — the further back your shoulders, the harder.

4️⃣ Push your feet down like you’re trying to move the floor away from you.

5️⃣ Push your knees outward to activate your glutes and make standing easier.

You can use this technique in real-life situations AND as an exercise.

Have you ever had this thought before sitting down? Comment below👇 to let me know!

[khathansen]

Don't forget if it's too soft too! I detest benches with padding because I sink in and can't get up.

[maryhinze-joyce]

I always scope out the sitting arrangements when I am in a new place, whether it be a friends house, family’s home, or a public space. That is why I use a Rollator (because I always have a seat that I KNOW I can get up from if need be). It is just as important as scoping out the restroom situation in unfamiliar spaces/places.

[tamaracoke]

I can so relate! And the older I get, the harder it is with MS.

[jameshester]

If you want to survive it's just another thing you have to go through

[Beesgatheringthyme]

Made the mistake today thinking I could get something off the bottom shelf at Walmart.

[richardpoulsen]

my wife is disabled and she has the same problem as the young person in the video...not m.s tho..a different disability...she also has to guage the height of kerbs before stepping up or down