This week, His & Hers has been looking into the key benefits of choosing a rise and recliner sofa. If you’re looking for a cosy and comfortable sofa that’ll feel as good as it looks, here’s why you might opt for a recliner sofa versus a regular sofa.
To look after your back
Back pain is the number one cause of disability worldwide and as we get older, some of the inexpensive furniture that might have been just fine in our youth (such as that friend’s threadbare futon which was somehow just as uncomfortable as a sofa as it was as a bed) doesn’t seem so appealing. If you’re managing back pain or any other issues with mobility and want a sofa that makes sitting down and getting up as easy as possible, and which you can adjust to get into the most comfortable position, a rise and recliner sofa or electric sofa bed is the obvious choice.
To invest in the best
Most of us have bought some furniture over the years that we’ve ended up regretting. Often this happens when we feel like we need to buy a key item – such as a sofa – in a hurry, perhaps after moving house. Sometimes it’s only after spending a while sitting on your new chair or sofa that you realise that it isn’t all that comfortable, or doesn’t work with the layout you want. By choosing a rise and recliner sofa – which is designed to provide comfort as well as style, and to last – you’re much more likely to end up with furniture you’ll appreciate for years to come.
To sit more comfortably
Whether we’re hunched over our desks, or leaning forward to look at our phones, modern life can leave many of us spending a big chunk of our day holding the same hunched position. We’ve probably all experienced the sensation when, after sitting in the same position for hours, our neck, shoulders, or lower back start to ache. To counteract this, tilting your recliner back means that gravity does the work, keeping your chest and shoulder open and your neck and chin upright. According to Ergonomics Health: “Reclining the back support automatically reduces weight and pressure throughout the spine. Elevating the legs also reduces tension on the hips and lower back.”
To create a layout that takes you from day to night
We’ve all seen living rooms where the layout of the TV, sofas and chairs would leave you needing to strain your neck to watch your favourite show. If you’re working on creating the ultimate living room layout, recliners are the perfect choice when designing a space that’ll take you from day to night. Simply choose lighting with a dimmer switch (or add a lamp or two) so you can dim the lights for a cosy evening feel and enjoy the option to adjust your recliner, and perhaps cosy up under a throw, as you unwind in the evening. Also, there are some situations where sleeping in a recliner may be better for your health than sleeping in bed.
To help with mobility
Rise and recliner sofas are a particularly popular choice for people with limited mobility. According to the Mobility Furniture Company: “For anyone who needs extra support, spends a lot of time sitting or has trouble getting up and down, a rise and recline sofa will make a huge difference to their quality of life. To start with, the rise feature tilts the chair forward to make it easier to get in and out and the made-to-measure features ensure that the head, lower back, legs and feet are supported at all times. The recline option makes it easy to change position, which is essential for anyone who spends a lot of time in the chair, and in the case of high-care patients or extremely limited mobility, someone else can operate the chair to adjust their position if necessary.”
5 seat back pain stretches for seniors
Once you’ve found your ideal recliner and hopefully your back, neck and shoulders are feeling less stiff, one great way to build upon the benefits of having more supportive, ergonomic furniture is by incorporating some simple seated stretches into your routine.
Chest stretch
This stretch is good for posture.
A. Sit upright and away from the back of the chair. Pull your shoulders back and down. Extend your arms out to the side.
B. Gently push your chest forward and up until you feel a stretch across your chest.
Hold for 5 to 10 seconds and repeat 5 times.
Gentle twist
This feature on gentle seated stretches for seniors includes simple instructions for this stretch.
Arm raises
This exercise builds shoulder strength.
A. Sit upright with your arms by your sides.
B. With palms forwards, raise both arms out and to the side, and up as far as is comfortable.
C. Return to the starting position.
Keep your shoulders down and arms straight throughout. Breathe out as you raise your arms and breathe in as you lower them. Repeat 5 times.
Looking from left to right and up and down
If you’re feeling stiff, it can be worthwhile making the time for a simple warm-up before beginning your chair stretches. This video features some gentle prep for your stretching, starting with looking from left to right and up and down.
Neck stretch
This stretch is good for loosening tight neck muscles.
A. Sitting upright, look straight ahead and hold your left shoulder down with your right hand.
B. Slowly tilt your head to the right while holding your shoulder down.
C. Repeat on the opposite side.
Hold each stretch for 5 seconds and repeat 3 times on each side.
We’re very proud to bring you this feature in association with The Mobility Furniture Company. For more features, please pay a visit to our lifestyle page.
