How would you describe your posture? Would you say you’re someone who often has aches and pains, or do you tend to feel fine on most days? How does your lower back tend to feel? Shoulders? How about your neck? Do you commonly catch yourself hunched over while you’re working? Well, slouching, hunching, and sitting for long periods might seem harmless at first, but bad posture can quietly wreak havoc on your body.
Over time, it can lead to chronic back pain, neck stiffness, and even breathing issues. It might not be something you think about daily, but your posture plays a significant role in your overall health. So what can you do? Well, here are some simple ways that you can build up a habit of getting good posture so you can finally stand tall, sit straight, and feel better.
You Have To Be Mindful Of Your Posture
One of the easiest ways to start improving your posture is simply to be more aware of it. Yes, seriously, that’s honestly all it takes! So, throughout the day, take a moment to check in to see how you’re standing or sitting. Are your shoulders hunched? Is your back slouched? Gently correct it by rolling your shoulders back, lifting your chest, and aligning your head with your spine.
Honestly, it might even help to look into setting reminders on your phone or computer can help build this habit. So, after a while, you won’t need the reminders, and good posture will become second nature. The more you practice mindfulness about your posture, the quicker it becomes a habit that sticks.
Look Into Strengthening Your Core Muscles
Did you know that your posture relies heavily on the strength of your core muscles? That’s right! So, weak core muscles often lead to slouching because they can’t support your upper body effectively. So, ideally, you’re going to have to start incorporating exercises like planks, bridges, and even yoga into your routine, which can make a big difference. Basically, a stronger core means less strain on your spine and better overall posture.
But what if you lack time to exercise? Well, core exercises don’t require a lot of time—just a few minutes a day can go a long way in helping you maintain proper alignment throughout the day.
Invest In Ergonomic Furniture
So this one might be a little too unrealistic for most folks because ergonomic furniture is honestly pretty pricey. However, if you can afford it (or you can get your boss to pay), then you should definitely look into getting ergonomic furniture.
Just think about it: sitting for long periods of time causes poor furniture, and most jobs tend to be desk jobs. If you can, try to look into chairs that offer good lumbar support, standing desks, or even ergonomic keyboards that can help reduce strain on your body.
See A Chiropractor For Adjustments
Alright, so the above might be fairly unrealistic because of the initial cost, but thankfully, a chiropractor isn’t expensive at all! So, why go to one? Well, not only will they help with the bad effects of poor posture (like those aches and pains you get), but they can also help figure out why you still might be struggling with posture. For example, maybe it’s due to some sort of underlying issue like spinal misalignment.
Plus, chiropractors specialize in realigning the spine and reducing muscle tension, which can improve your ability to sit and stand properly. Honestly, going to one can really help, and they can even give advice on how to get posture; it’s something that they often talk with their clients about in the first place.
We are not doctors and this is in no way intended to be used as medical advice and we cannot be held responsible for your results. As with any product, service or supplement, use at your own risk. Always do your own research before using.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
