Why You Should Sit on the Floor to Eat Your Meals
Eating food is one phenomenon that is meant to be enjoyed and savoured. In the past, people in Indian households sat cross-legged on the floor to eat, as dining tables were not yet available. To date, in many rural areas, people sit on the floor to cook and eat, whereas in the urban areas, people sit at dining tables or at their desks and eat or also stand and eat in case of absence of seating arrangements. Given the fast-paced life and “fast food,” it has become second nature for people to “eat on the go.” This mindless eating pattern is detrimental in the long run.
Eating the correct type of food is important for our body, and so also how we eat is important. In countries like India, Japan and Korea, people prefer sitting on the floor and eating.
What research says?
- According to a study “Does flexibility influence the ability to sit and rise from the floor?” published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation dated March 2013, it has been observed that there is a connection between the ability to sit down and get up from the floor. Sitting on the floor and getting up makes the body flexible and improves the overall functioning.
- A review article published in the Journal of Ethnic Foods, states that sitting on the floor activates the vagus nerve, that effectively transmits signals from the stomach to the cerebrum in the brain regarding the satiety of the food.
- An exercise published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, states that people who can easily sit cross-legged on the floor in “Sukhasana” or “Padmasana” and get up without any assistance/support, show signs of improved longevity.
Benefits of sitting on the floor to eat
There are myriad benefits of sitting on the floor and eating.
1) Aids digestion: It has been noticed that sitting cross-legged on the floor to eat is beneficial for better digestion. This pose is called “Sukhasana” in Yoga. This pose calms us increases our awareness. Seeing the plate of food in front of us signals our brain to prepare for digestion, such is the connection between our eyes and the brain. When we bend slightly to take a morsel from the plate and when we resume our original posture to chew, the abdominal muscles are activated and stomach acids are released which aid in the digestion process making it easier to digest the food.
2) Flexibility: Sitting on the floor while eating improves the flexibility of our hips, knees and ankles. It also strengthens our core, glutes and leg muscles. It also helps to maintain good posture and spine alignment. It lubricates our joints, reduces stiffness, enhances joint mobility and improves circulation in the body, enhances the functions of our body, balance and supports join health naturally as we age. It keeps our tendons, ligaments and surrounding tissues healthy and lessens the risk of tightness, discomfort and strains that are resultant to prolonged periods of sitting on chairs or other elevated seating arrangements.
3) Aids weight loss: Sitting on the floor while eating aids in weight loss. When we sit and stand up, our body movement increases over a period of time. We are calmer and therefore we eat mindfully, thereby avoiding any over-eating or weight gain. This action makes us more mindful of how we eat: eating slowly, chewing properly, tasting and enjoying each morsel, feeling grateful of the food we have, the loved ones/family we are eating with, all combine for an amazing gastronomical experience. We feel satiated sooner as our body is a state of heightened receptivity and thus, we do not overeat or binge-eat rather we maintain our weight.
4) Better blood circulation: Sitting cross-legged on the floor calms our nerves and releases any tension from our bodies. This improves the blood circulation as the blood is evenly distributed throughout the body. This improves cardiac health as there is less pressure on the heart and body.
5) Better posture: Sitting cross-legged on the floor improves our posture, keeps our back straight, and prevents muscle and joint pain. It strengthens our legs and keeps our body flexible. Standing up without support works wonders to improve our core strength and makes us agile.
6) Relaxing: Sitting cross-legged on the floor in ‘Sukhasana” is calming as it applies pressure to the lower spine thereby relaxing us. It alleviates stress and is the ideal posture for meditation and practicing deep breathing exercises, which benefits us by increasing the flow of oxygen in our body. In addition, it also relaxes our shoulder muscles and straightens our spine.
7) Psychological benefits: Sitting cross-legged on the floor makes us more grounded and humbler as it connects us to our spiritual side. We get to be with our family and improve our personal relationships. Not being glued to the TV or digital devices while eating, strengthens our bond with our family, as we eat together. Conversing as we eat makes us communicate better with our family. Our emotional connection is revived and we thrive as a family. ‘The family that eats together, stays together”.
8) Bone health: Sitting on the floor makes our spinal lumbar region stronger and reduces stress on the spine. It helps to open the hips, strengthen the core and increase flexibility of the knees.
Caution
However, this is not everyone’s cup of tea. Aged adults, people with weight issues, knee problems, back pain, hip or ankle issues, or any other joint pains or related medical issues should avoid this posture.
Tips
- Keep the floor clean
- Use mats or soft cushions to sit on
- Wash your hands and feet properly before sitting to eat
- Use dining mats to place the utensils and crockery on – to prevent spillage on the floor
- Try to avoid cutlery and eat with your bare hands for better eating experiences
Care
If you are someone who is healthy, you can begin by sitting on the floor for a few minutes each day. Gradually increase this time till you feel most comfortable. It is always best to seek the advice of your healthcare professional before trying this, to be safe and avoid any repercussions.
- Blogs
- 31 October 2025
- 11:00
