Sometimes, the simplest movements can have the most profound impact on your body. Such is the case with adult tummy time, a stretch currently trending on TikTok that invites you to counter the hunching effects of contemporary life with an infant-inspired position.
Adult tummy time involves lying on your stomach, with your torso propped up by flat forearms (ironically, and conveniently, an ideal posture for typing and scrolling). A quick scroll through TikTok reveals many users pausing in the pose for a few breaths before lowering down; others are seen with their stomachs draped over pillows to alleviate back pain. The majority of sharers insist that the practice is the key to better posture.
Tummy time offers a direct contrast to the shape that many of us take throughout the day—aka hunched over screens and steering wheels.
Along with the minimal effort required to access tummy time, Lauren Glisic, a physical therapist and strength conditioning specialist in Los Angeles, says that the foundational position requires no equipment and can aid in breathing, spinal health, and, yes, improved posture.
