Health & Wellness

How to Improve Your Posture, And Why It’s Important

Most people, when growing up, had that one strict teacher who would repeat the same, prescriptive phrase at the beginning of class: sit up straight. Of course, to them it meant something different. Posture used to be about displaying a sense of refinement and decorum, but nowadays it’s more about improving one’s own wellbeing.

You see, bad posture has been linked to poor breathing, joint dysfunction, misalignment, back and neck pain, and low energy. While your grade school teachers might have been trying to get you to mind your manners, it turns out they had a point: good posture is important.

Why Posture Matters

As mentioned, bad posture can cause all sorts of other problems for the body. Conversely, good posture keeps the body in proper alignment, allowing your nervous system and immune to work as they should, and allowing for better oxygen intake. This Harvard Health article on why good posture matters is a good source for more information, making the case that it improves balance, and therefore athletic ability.

How to Improve Your Posture

It’s not uncommon these days to work eight hours at an office desk, hunched over a computer screen on a chair that’s less than ergonomically sound. Compound that with the fact that people often use their off-hours fiddling with their phone (resulting in the newly coined term, “text neck”) and it’s easy to see how modern life can be hard on your posture.

Bad posture can be fixed, however. If you are serious about correcting bad posture, click here to learn more about how a chiropractor can help you, but for the purposes of this article, let’s look at some tips for improving your sitting posture:

  • Sit up straight, and have your shoulders back.
  • Align your back with the back of the chair, ideally an ergonomic office chair.
  • Ensure that your knees are level or below your hips.
  • Keep your feet on the floor, using an adjustable footrest device if need be.
  • And, crucially, get up and walk around every once in a while. It’s never good to stay in one position for too long.

As for standing posture, try the following:

  • Stand tall, with your shoulders back.
  • Keep your chin tucked.
  • Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, and don’t lock your knees.
  • Let your hands fall naturally at your side.

These instructions, while incomplete, will help you get started improving your posture. For longstanding postural problems, it’s recommended that you book a consultation with a chiropractor, who can create a more comprehensive treatment plan.

In conclusion, it is beneficial to pay attention to your posture. Good posture can make you feel healthier and more alert, while bad posture can cause a number of health problems. Being mindful of the way you sit, stand and sleep can have a big impact on your overall sense of wellbeing. For more information, visit a reputable chiropractor and develop a treatment plan to help you improve your posture.

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