We have all heard it before: Sit up! Stand up straight! Don’t slouch! Posture is essential to spinal health. What can you do to improve your posture on a daily basis? The answer lies in how you sit, stand, move, and recline.
Sitting
- Keep your feet directly in front of you, on the floor, and don’t cross your legs
- Keep your knees below your hips, and don’t edge back so far that the backs of your knees are on the edge of your chair
- Make sure your chair has appropriate lumbar support and avoid sitting in the same position for too long
Standing
- Keep your shoulders back and your back straight, but in a relaxed manner – don’t overcorrect
- Make sure you have supportive footwear when standing or walking
- Avoid “text neck” by not craning down to look at your phone
- As you walk or stand, keep your feet shoulder-width apart, and make sure that as you exercise you work on your ab strength
Reclining and Sleeping
- Choose as firm and supportive a mattress as is comfortable for you
- Make sure you sleep with a pillow that supports your neck
- Bend your knees slightly if you sleep on your side
- Try to avoid sleeping on your stomach
Good Posture Vs. Bad Posture
What does good posture actually look like? It is simply having your body aligned in a comfortable way with the right amount of work against the force of gravity. It means you are not slouching or bending your neck down, and that your legs are straight and your feet are apart and your shoulders are in line with your hips.
Why You Should Pay Attention to Your Posture
Is posture really a factor with your health? Absolutely.
These are some of the conditions that can result from bad posture:
- Pain in the back, shoulders, and neck
- Poor circulation and digestion
- Malformation or inappropriate curvature of the spine
- Headache and jaw pain
- Digestive issues
For more information on ways you can improve your posture, call us today at (813) 873-7777.