It looks silly, and 20 minutes to yourself to lie down may be a real luxury – we get it.
But instead of waiting for your body to break down and then going to the doctor for body pain, sleep, or circulation problems, wouldn’t it be easier, cheaper, and safer to try this entirely free experiment at home?
Even if you do it in your bedroom in the minutes before you get into bed because it’s the only time you have, it can work wonders.
Be sure to watch this video and then scroll down below for more information.
The position
Any time your legs are above your head you’re in what’s called an “inversion” pose or posture, and this can have many benefits for blood flow.
All you need to do is find just enough floor space to accommodate your upper body while you lie next to the wall and then lift your legs up vertically.
The end result should be the opposite of the posture you’re in when you sit all day. Your legs should be at a 90-degree angle to the rest of your body and your bottom should be as close to the wall as possible.
If you can’t do that, it’s ok to put a pillow or rolled-up towel under your lower back if you feel pain there. You can also put a pillow under your head if that feels more comfortable. Never sit in discomfort in this pose or it won’t have the desired effects.
5 reasons to lie with your legs up the wall
1. Improves circulation and drains fluid build-up
By simply reversing the flow of your blood, you force it to circulate more efficiently.
For those of us who don’t get a lot of exercise (or who get it all by running or walking), it can help drain lymph and other fluids from our swollen ankles and tired knees. It’s also a great trick to calm swelling after you travel by plane!
That’s just how gravity works – there’s not much more to it!
2. It aids in digestion
Pretty much anything other than just sitting there after a meal will help food move through your body more efficiently.
So if you tend to sit in front of the TV after dinner, this is a great way to kick your digestive system into gear so it can work on your food overnight.
It might also reduce bloating after a big meal.
3. It can stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system
If you’re truly able to get comfortable in this pose, relax, and breathe deeply for 20 minutes, this position could help with alleviating stress.
The parasympathetic nervous system regulates or “flight-or-fight” response. Getting out of this panic mode can help your body and mind relax.
That can also be good for oxygen intake and muscle release.
4. It helps you get ready for sleep
The relaxation benefits you get from this posture might also help you sleep.
So if you suffer from insomnia (and we’ve been there!), it’s worth giving it a try.
5. It may relieve foot pain
Uncomfortable shoes or being on your feet all day making your feet swell?
Often, we don’t have the right posture to evenly distribute our weight and this can cause pain all over the body, but most acutely in the feet.
By kicking your heels up the wall when you get home, you may just be able to realign your body a bit so that you can (literally) shake off the weight of the day.
There are other possible benefits to this pose as well, such as alleviating back pain and menstrual cramps. But, as with any remedy, results will vary.
Coming out of the pose
You should feel pretty relaxed when you come out of this pose, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you can pop right back up to standing. That will likely make you feel lightheaded!
Instead, spend a minute reacclimating your body by lying on the floor, then roll to one side, and push yourself up with your arms. Do it slowly and stop if you feel a bit dizzy.
While you can practice this pose longer, you may want to start off with 5 minutes at first and work your way up to 20 minutes or longer, depending on how restorative you find it.
Don’t skip it because you only have 2 minutes to spare – just spend the time you can doing this great thing for your body!
NOTE: This pose may not be safe for everyone. If you have glaucoma or other eye problems, a serious back or neck injury, or high blood pressure, you should speak to your doctor before trying this pose.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
