Believe that nearly everyone has at least one set of sofas in their living room. It seems that without these sofas and chairs, the living room wouldn't feel complete.

Most sofa chairs are plush and soft. The moment you take a seat, your entire body sinks into the sofa, causing your spine to curve, similar to the posture when you lean forward to reach for something.

Consequently, the duration you spend on the sofa is akin to how long you keep your neck and lower back bent. Regardless of how you reposition, make adjustments, or add cushions, extended periods of sitting in this manner can potentially result in serious disc herniation.

So, if you can avoid sitting on a plush sofa, it's best to do so, and certainly, don't recline and sleep on it. It's advisable that if you feel compelled to have a sofa in your living room, choose one that is firm and provides adequate support, preventing you from sinking into it as soon as you sit down.

Alternatively, keep a firm chair available for sitting while you wait for guests. It's essential not to regard it as a waste or believe that it won't harm your spine. Your long-term health is more valuable.

Semi-Reclining Posture

Although the semi-reclining position is quite comfortable, it shifts your body's center of gravity backward, causing your entire upper body weight to rest on your spine rather than on your sitting bones.

In essence, you're sitting on your lower back rather than your buttocks. Over time, this can lead to lower back pain or even more severe issues.

Sinking into Soft Sofas

When your body relaxes and sinks into a soft sofa, your spine becomes curved, making it easy for intervertebral disc herniation to occur. It has the same detrimental effect on the body as the semi-reclining posture.

Originally, the weight of our upper body is supported by the sitting bones when we sit upright. However, when you sink into the sofa, all the weight gets concentrated on your spine. It's akin to sitting on your spine, causing wear and tear over time.

Leaning to One Side

Sitting in a slanted posture, whether to the left or right, results in the elongation of muscles on one side of your body and the shortening of muscles on the other side.

The issue is that the muscles on one side can become excessively tense and, over time, may lead to functional scoliosis. Do you sometimes feel like your body appears slightly crooked when you look in the mirror?

Moreover, such an extreme imbalance in body posture on both sides can also result in bulging intervertebral discs.

Resting Your Head on Sofa Armrests

Many people enjoy resting their heads on armrests while watching TV, much like using a pillow. However, armrests are usually too high, causing your head to tilt to one side when resting on them. Over time, this can lead to intervertebral disc herniation.

Even if symptoms don't manifest immediately, you might develop a stiff neck and a constant sensation of tightness in your neck and shoulders.

Crossing Your Legs

Crossing your legs tilts the pelvis, creating uneven pressure on the lumbar vertebrae and resulting in lumbar muscle strain. Additionally, it causes unequal stress on the lumbar intervertebral discs.

Prolonged cross-legged sitting is a risk factor for lumbar disc herniation, particularly in teenagers during their growth and development, who are prone to developing a hunchback and spinal curvature.

Sitting Cross-Legged or with Bent Knees

Sitting cross-legged or with bent knees causes your entire spine to naturally bend forward. Over time, this can easily lead to cervical and lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, potentially resulting in spinal issues.

People who lack chairs at home and prefer sitting on the floor are particularly susceptible to developing spinal problems.

Health Advice: If you must have a sofa in your living room, opt for a firm sofa chair with ample support that prevents you from sinking in immediately upon sitting down. Alternatively, use a firm chair, avoiding the risk to your spine health by sitting while awaiting the arrival of guests.