Want Better Posture? Start Here
Did you know that poor posture can be the culprit of many underlying health problems? Slouching can lead to breathing issues, back pain and unnecessary muscle stress. It turns out that your mother had good reason to warn you about standing up straight!
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We recently wrote a blog post that talks more about the importance of proper posture. And while the long-term effects of slumping aren’t so pretty, it turns out improving your posture can be quite simple. Here are a list of tips to improve your posture and help you live a healthier life.
1. Stand Up Straight.
We know, this one is almost too simple. However, we’ve put it at the top of the list because it can’t be overlooked. First, simply lift your chest up. Let your neck sit on top of your back and let your head sit on top of your neck. Imagine a string is pulling you up to the ceiling.
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When you do this, everything will line up accordingly. Be sure not to overcorrect and roll your shoulders or bend your back in an unnatural position. The goal is to follow the natural curvature of your back.
2. Ease Into It.
Improving your posture isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. You have to slowly build up to improving your posture. Why? Because you’re retraining your muscles to work the way they’re supposed to.
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If you’re just getting starting, we suggest standing or sitting up straight every hour on the hour for 3-5 minutes. From there, build up slowly until you’re able to continually able to practice good posture without getting fatigued.
3. Make A Functional Change.
It’s easy to have good posture when you’re just standing up. However, it’s important that your body is properly aligned no matter what you’re doing.
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Whether you’re driving your car, running laps or shopping for groceries, practice standing and sitting up straight as you perform the activities. In the end, you’ll enjoy doing the things you love without pain.
4. Get Eye Level.
Many patients come to us because of the infamous “tech neck.” Straining your neck while look at a computer or phone can lead to serious long-term issues. But the fix is simple. Get your electronic devices eye-level!
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If you do a lot of work on the computer, invest in a stand to bring your monitor it to a level that doesn’t strain your neck. When looking at your phone, hold it up eye-level instead of constantly looking down. You’ll be surprised at how these little changes make a big difference.
5. Find A Good Mattress.
Good posture is an around the clock endeavor — even when you’re catching your z’s. The position you sleep in can have lasting effects on your back alignment.
Our suggestion? Find a quality mattress that offers firm support. Most of all, make sure that it’s comfortable to you and supports your back’s natural curve. Trust us on this one.
Want To Know More About Improving Your Posture?
While these five tips are a great starting point for improving your posture, we’d love to talk if you have more questions about your back alignment. Be sure to visit our contact page and get in touch about setting an appointment with one of our chiropractors.