How returning to the fundamentals of good posture could drastically improve your quality of life.
From slumping on sofas, hunching over computers, leaning in towards smartphones and tablets, and generally getting dragged down by life’s woes, bad posture not only takes its toll on joints and muscles but also affects how we feel about ourselves.
Physically, aches and ailments brought on from perennial bad posture spread to all parts of the body, creating issues as varied as poor digestion, neck pain, headaches, issues with feet, knees, and hips, and even breathing problems.
Our posture is most compromised when we’re sat or stood for prolonged periods of time. Humans are conditioned to know when they need to move around, and work can often seriously restrict our ability to do so (and long periods on a mobile phone are just as bad).
Here are some easy fixes to consider for alleviating the pressure on your posture:
- Make sure your chair is at the right height so your screen is comfortably level with your eyeline. Shoulders should be down and back, and avoid crossing your legs. When typing keep arms at a comfortable 90-degree angle in a nice, neutral resting position.
- Relax in your chair – they come with armrests for a reason! If, alternatively, you have a job that means standing around for an extended period – for instance, a shop assistant – resist leaning on one leg and instead keep legs hip width apart, tummy pulled in and bum tucked under.
- Muscle memory isn’t just something you read about when buying a mattress – it’s a real thing we can plug into our body’s framework to ensure we become more resilient to long periods sat or stationed in the same position.
Remember:
- Any general movement that frees you from being stuck in one place will lead to better posture, so change your stationary position, stretch, jog on the spot, and even lie flat if you feel it’s putting flexibility back into your body.
- Good posture is achieved through strong core and glute muscles. That means regular exercise, so keep up with those sit-ups and lunges!
- Undertaking exercise classes and pursuits to counter the negative effects of being stuck in one place is a great idea too. Pilates has been proven to be one of the most efficient workouts, and one that can retune your entire body to work more effectively, making you feel stronger and full of confidence.
