A surprisingly large amount of people have bad posture. The correct and healthy posture change comes from many people working at desks all day, looking down at mobile phones a lot, and slouching in general.
Having the correct posture will mean that some of the muscles and joints in your body won’t function as they are designed to. The weakened areas are more susceptible to injury, and it can limit your range of movement too.
Photo by Corinne Kutz on Unsplash
Slouching, in particular, can mean that you aren’t taking big enough breaths, meaning there isn’t oxygen flowing around your body. This lack of oxygen leads to fatigue, poor circulation, and decreased energy levels.
There are several ways to be more mindful of your posture, and some of them only take a moment.
If you notice regular backache, tight shoulders, and a stiff neck due to your posture, then a trip to a chiropractic care center should be top of the list.
The rest of the tips are things that you can do yourself.
Fastest fix
Notice how you are sitting right now. Are you slumped a little bit, with your shoulders hunched over? Do you have proper lumbar support?
The key to a fast posture fix is looking at how you are holding your shoulder blades. Your shoulder blades should be drawn back and pulled down slightly. This stops you from having rounded hunch shoulders and allows for better alignment.
The correct sitting position would be to have your ears in line with your shoulders. This position prevents strain in your neck.
Long term
If you spend a significant amount of time sitting, invest in a chair with lumbar support, or purchase a small lumbar support pillow.
Keeping your legs uncrossed and both on the floor or on a footrest to keep your knees at hips at the same height. Your knee can also be slightly below hip height for optimal comfort.
Moving often is essential too. Even if you have a desk-based job, it is essential that you set timers to make sure you are moving at least once an hour for a few minutes.
Read more about how damaging a desk job can be: Your Desk Job Is Killing You.
Moving around makes sure that the blood flow is good and that all of your joints and muscles are lubricated.
During your time away from your desk, make sure that you stretch your arms, legs, neck, and back. This will prevent them from feeling too stiff and becoming painful.
If you have tensions in the body, this will also restrict movements, which can see you returning to a slouching posture.
Walking
If you often walk with your head tipped down looking at your feet, it’s time to break that habit. Walking tall, with your shoulders and the top of your head pointing skywards is the key to keeping your break straight as you walk around.
Next time you head out for a walk, or you are standing then look at how you hold your body.
Simply noticing when you are slouching or hunched over can help you correct your posture with ease.
Thank you for reading!
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