Could tweaking your posture be the key to a healthier, more successful life?
Good posture. We all know it when we see it, sit up straighter for a second, and then forget about it. Subconsciously, you know it's the goal - that's why when you remember it, you try it out for a while. The trick is making it the norm, not the exception. Once you do, it'll be with you for life.
Bad posture puts stress on your spine, and in turn on your muscles, joints and ligaments, resulting in aches and pains. Do you get back, neck or shoulder pain? Good chance that poor posture is a contributor, exacerbator, or even the sole cause. The longer you maintain poor posture, the worse it gets. Improving alignment takes the stress off and can take away the pain that came with it.
The counterbalancing your body does to compensate for poor posture requires a significant amount of energy. The body was not meant to operate this way, and the compensation comes at a cost to your vital energy stores - energy that could be better utilised elsewhere, including in your brain.
Poor posture can decrease the space for your lungs and thereby the amount of oxygen your body receives - by up to 30% according to some studies. Good posture allows more oxygen in, which ultimately benefits your organs too. People often notice positive effects on breathing and digestion once they improve their posture.
Tension headaches are the most widespread type of headache. While not the sole cause, poor posture builds stress through the spine, neck and head, leading to avoidable headaches.
Research shows that good posture is not only crucial for projecting confidence to others - it actually makes you feel more confident in yourself. Studies have shown that people who sit up straight are more likely to feel confident about a task and believe they are the right applicant for a job. Before your next interview, stand tall.
Lift your chest and place your feet flat on the floor. Have your computer, phone, TV or book at eye level right in front of you. Use books, boxes, or stands to make this happen.
If you haven't heard, sitting is the new smoking. Change your position every 20–30 minutes at a minimum.
Welcome to the generation of tech neck - pain in the neck and shoulders caused by constant use of electronic devices. With people routinely spending 3–4 hours a day on their phones, the head-forward, shoulders-rounded posture causes repetitive strain. Put the phone down, or at least hold it at a natural position that doesn't strain your neck.
Humans are creatures of habit and sometimes you need help to break them. Whether it's slipping down your seat, folding one leg under you, or constantly walking with your chin to your chest - sometimes all you need is a simple reminder. Pick your Posture Pal wisely: someone not afraid to nag you out of your bad habits.
Posture is not static. Regular stretching and exercise strengthen your positive posture habits, making it easier as time goes on.
There are lots of small tweaks that reduce unnecessary strain: use a headset rather than holding the phone, keep your screen at eye level, and maintain right angles at your elbows, hips and knees when seated. Your osteopath can discuss these with you.
You spend (theoretically) one third of your life asleep - make sure you're doing it right. Keeping your spine in a neutral position, with your head and neck in line with the rest of your spine, is the goal.
It might be time to reduce the weight a little and work on your form. Maintaining correct technique when exercising is of paramount importance - it will not only help your posture, it will also keep you injury-free.
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