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TikTok trend -

If you have been on TikTok lately, you may have come across videos of people lying on the floor doing nothing.

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Introducing: floor time -

While this may seem like a strange way to pass the time, in fact, so-called "floor time" can have various benefits for your physical and mental health.

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Various benefits -

From helping regulate your nervous system to reducing general aches and pains in the body, the benefits of practicing floor time are manifold.

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Low cost and low fuss -

So, if you are looking for a low-cost, low-fuss way to take better care of your body and mind, you could do a lot worse than floor time.

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Benefits -

Let's start by taking a look at exactly how floor time can benefit your health. First of all, it can help regulate your nervous system.

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Nervous system regulation -

According to the experts, one of the biggest benefits of floor time is that it is able to activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

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Nervous system regulation -

This is the system that shifts the body out of fight-or-flight mode and into a state of rest and relaxation.

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Nervous system regulation -

By simply lying down on the floor and breathing deeply, you signal to your brain that you are safe. This helps lower cortisol levels, slow your heart rate, and ease tension.

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Grounding -

Another benefit of floor time is that it is (literally) grounding. This is what makes it popular with people experiencing anxiety or stress.

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Grounding -

By lying down on the floor, we naturally become aware of the points where our body is making contact with it.

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Grounding -

This awareness helps deepen our connection to the present moment, thereby easing feelings of anxiety and stress.

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Promotes spinal health -

In addition to supporting our mental health, floor time is also very beneficial for our posture and spinal health.

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Promotes spinal health -

Unfortunately, many of us spend far too much time slumped on the sofa or hunched over a screen. These unnatural positions can wreak havoc on our bodies.

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Promotes spinal health -

When we lie our bodies down on the floor, however, gravity pulls everything down equally. This allows the body to realign and resets any imbalances.

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Alleviates aches and pains -

In fact, floor time can be a good option if you are looking to reduce general aches and pains in your body.

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Alleviates aches and pains -

Taking some time out to stretch and relax deeply can be very good news for tired and overworked muscles.

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Alleviates aches and pains - During your floor time session, you may choose to practice a few simple yoga poses. This can help relax your muscles and get rid of any tension.

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Getting rid of guilt -

Last but not least, an important benefit of the floor time trend is that it normalizes doing nothing and relaxing without feeling guilty.

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Getting rid of guilt -

All too often, people feel pressure to be constantly productive. For many people, relaxing is a huge challenge.

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Getting rid of guilt -

By normalizing stillness, the floor time trend helps remind people that they don’t have to be 'on' all the time. In fact, it’s much healthier to know when to switch off.

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When to practice -

If you are thinking about trying floor time, bear in mind that there is no right or wrong time to get started.

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No right or wrong time -

The best time to engage in floor time is different for each individual, and it may be worth experimenting to find out what works best for you.

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According to TikTok -

There are, however, some favorite floor time scenarios, according to various TikTok users.

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Favorite scenarios for floor time -

These include after a long day at work, before bed, to cope with overstimulation or overthinking, and after a particularly strenuous workout.

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Getting started -

Bear in mind that although anyone can engage in floor time, many people may not find it comfortable to lie straight on the ground.

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Listen to your body -

It is therefore important that you listen to your body and remember to make accommodations or modifications if necessary.

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Making modifications -

For example, if the floor is particularly hard, you could pop a cushion or pillow under your head to make yourself feel more comfortable.

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Making modifications -

Equally, if your breathing feels restricted, you could try propping your torso up using cushions or a folded blanket.

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Use an eye mask -

If you find it difficult to block out distractions, you might consider using an eye pillow or eye mask.

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Taking it to the next level -

And if you are looking to achieve next level relaxation, try using a weighted blanket or pairing your practice with your favorite mindfulness exercise.

Sources: (Verywell Mind)

See also: How money dysmorphia can hurt your mental health

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