Posture is important to our overall health, but most of us don’t think about it often. Poor posture can lead to a number of health issues, such as back and neck pain, migraines and headaches, difficulty breathing, and even lifelong skeletal damage.
Bad posture can be caused by a number of things but no matter the cause, improved posture will help you feel better today. You may even notice that your clothes fit better when your shoulders are pulled back! Here are a few tips for improving your posture today and every day.
Purchase a Quality Work Chair
When you sit at a desk all day, make sure that you are sitting in a chair that supports your back (some chairs have ergonomic features that can help). Your feet should be flat on the floor with knees at a 90-degree angle. When typing or talking on the phone, make sure that you aren’t hunching over or leaning forward excessively.
Stretch
Stretch before and after sitting for long periods of time by taking 10 seconds to do this exercise: slowly raise one arm up over your head while bending the opposite side of the body towards it; hold it there for five seconds and then switch sides. Do this 3 times on each side.
Planks
Strengthen your core by doing some planks! Start off lying on the ground face down with hands placed palms down under shoulders so elbows are pointing outwards. Lower yourself down so elbows touch the ground (hold for 2 seconds), push up into plank position so arms are straight (hold for 2 seconds), and repeat.
Stand up Straight
Stand up straight when you’re at work or on public transportation. Pull your shoulders back and down, keep your head level with the ground, and stand tall through your feet. This helps create space between each vertebra in the spine which improves circulation and reduces pain over time.
When you take a break from sitting at work (or even during!), make sure to stand up regularly throughout the day so that blood can circulate more freely around your body.
The Key Takeaway
Posture is important to our overall health, and with these simple tips and tricks, you can be on your way to a better posture and a better you!
