Will My Butt Bounce Back?

The pandemic has messed our bodies up in all sorts of (strange) ways. Below is a partial list of pandemic problems and how to fix ’em.

(Related: 4 Ways the Pandemic Has Taken a Toll on Our Bodies)

Gluteal amnesia

Doctors could also refer to this condition as gluteus medius tendinosis, or they might call it by its far more memorable name—dead butt syndrome.

What happened

Sitting at a desk for far too long causes the muscles in your butt to weaken, so they no longer stabilize your hips and pelvis.

What to do

Moving your butt (so it remembers its function!) helps a bunch. So does doing 15 to 20 glute bridges, a popular yoga pose.

(Related: How to Treat the Most Common Aches and Pains Caused by Pandemic Life)

Quarantine constipation

You might be pooping less frequently, pooping less…voluminously or pooping with more effort.

What happened

Persistent stress, poor sleep, lack of exercise and changes in eating—aka the stay-at-home special—disrupts your colon, while excess sitting compresses your abdomen and jams up your digestive system.

What to do

Drink plenty of water and stock up on high-fibre foods like avocados, leafy greens, whole grains and beans. Also, get up and move every day.

(Related: Why Staying at Home Causes Constipation—and How to Get Relief)

Plantar fasciitis

It’s a painful irritation of your plantar fascia, the tissue that connects your heel to your toes along the bottom of your foot.

What happened

A hugely common running injury, plantar fasciitis can also result from walking around barefoot or in socks, which puts more stress on your arches, tendons and ligaments.

What to do

Even if you’re at home, slip on your shoes for at least a portion of the day—they’ll provide arch support and a solid base to help your feet work less hard.

Next, this is what you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccines and fertility.