Blue Ball Monday?

Why you should and shouldn't use a stability ball for an office chair

The plan was to use my stability ball as my office chair today. It might even become a thing. Blue Ball Monday. The idea being that sitting on a stability would be better for my back and posture and it would mix things up a bit.

Then I did some research.

Found this article on Livestrong.com. While sitting on a stability does have many benefits, replacing your office chair is not one of them. At least not right away.

Sitting on the stability ball does engage your core it’s also a bit awkward and can be difficult to balance at first. This can lead to muscle tightness, particularly in the hip flexors, as you try to remain in position to sit at a desk or keyboard.

Even if you get good at it, using the stability ball can lead to slouching as you do not have any back support.

Is the article right?

For the most part, yes. It does presume that you are going to sit at your desk for very long periods of time. The fact is most people who work from home don’t. Or have learned not to sit for more than an hour at a time as a physical and mental break. Those who use a Pomodoro timer as a productivity tool are standing up at least twice an hour.

Still, the warning is duly noted and there are many people who when they get locked in will sit for hours. And we’ve all heard about the negative impact of living too sedentary a life. You read that happy news in this article from Harvard Health Publishing.

The Blue Ball does offer some good

There are many exercises you can do on a stability ball that feel great when you do take those hourly breaks from the desks. Lying back or lying prone will definitely help you loosen up.

The article includes some more detailed activities, including: Stability Prone T, Stability Prone Y, Stability Ball Dead Bug, and Stability Ball Mountain Climber. If you want to take it up a notch with a stability ball workout, check out this website.

As for Blue Ball Monday, it will still happen. I will sit on the ball for about five minutes or so and build up.

If you want to have a ball, meaning you don’t have one, check this one out on Amazon [affiliate link\. I’ve had a Thera-Band ball for about 20 years and they are great!

In the coming weeks, stay tuned for additional ergonomic tips that can improve your posture and your work-from-home experience.