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Ways to Improve Your Posture

Ways to Improve Your Posture
December 10, 2018 / By medadmin

Ways to Improve Your Posture

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Having good posture is key to maintaining good health. Good posture allows your body to move in the ways it was designed, making it easier to exercise, minimizes injuries, and decreases the chances of wearing away joint surfaces which can result in joint pain and arthritis.

Many people sit hunched over their desk all day and don’t realize how this can affect their posture and overall health. But there are things we can do that can help us correct and improve our posture throughout the day.

Standing and walking properly

When standing, always remember to stand up straight. Imagine you have a string at the top of your head that is pulling you upward. Keep your chin parallel to the ground, your feet shoulder-width apart, arms loosely at your sides, knees slightly bent, and suck your stomach in. When you are standing, keep your weight on the balls of your feet instead of your heels which can cause you to slouch.

Adjusting the way you walk is a simple way to improve your posture. Pretend you have books on your head when you are walking. This helps you keep your back straight. Keep your head up and eyes forward. Your walking posture should be the same as your standing posture.

Having proper posture when standing and walking allows you to feel stronger and more confident. Studies also show that standing with proper posture can make someone look ten pounds lighter.  

Sitting properly to improve your posture

We spend most of our time sitting and if we aren’t sitting correctly, we can do serious damage to our posture. The proper way to sit is to keep your feet flat on the floor with your ankles in front of your knees. Make sure your weight is evenly distributed when you are seated. You can test this by sitting on your hands palms down until you feel that the weight is evenly distributed.

Your knees should be below your hips, shoulders relaxed, and your forearms parallel to the ground. If you are sitting for long periods of time, you need to ensure your chair has enough lower back support. Also, try adjusting your computer monitor slightly upward so it forces you to keep your chin up throughout the day.

Don’t forget to take breaks throughout the day to stand, stretch, and walk around. These breaks will also make you more productive.

Have good posture while you sleep

While this may seem hard to do, you can actually have good posture while you are sleeping. Good sleeping posture will help you feel more rested and rejuvenated to start your day.

Your back needs support even when you sleep. Use pillows strategically at night. If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your knees to help with back pain. If you sleep on your side, try placing a pillow between your knees to help relieve any pressure. Make sure you choose a pillow for your head that keeps your spine straight. If at all possible, try to avoid sleeping on your stomach.

A good mattress is very important for good posture. Find a mattress that works for you. You need to be able to rest comfortably without any pain.

A good posture is essential for healthy living. If you have any signs of back pain or have any questions about your posture, you may want to find chiropractor. They can determine the right exercises that are customized to help your spine. Call today to schedule a consultation.