7 Ways to Improve Your Posture

With many people working from home or at an office desk, it’s no surprise that bad posture is becoming an acceptable norm. Whilst sloppy posture can make you look less professional and confident, that’s not the main issue to be concerned about. The real problem is slow developing, and creeps up on you until it becomes a full-blown injury: back pain. Thankfully, there are steps you can take now to improve your posture – after all, prevention is better than cure.

No Slouching!

Whether you’re at your desk or standing up, slouching puts strain on your spine, stressing the bones, joints, and muscles that you use to hold your backbone in place. What’s more, slumping over also puts pressure on your internal organs, squeezing them together – which makes it harder for them to work properly. Over time, it’s not just your back that suffers – your lungs, intestines and stomach all take an impact, and bodily functions like digestion and breathing can become problematic. 

See A Chiropractor

Your spine is a complex body part that should be taken very seriously, and at the first signs of pain and discomfort, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Seeing a chiropractor is a very good first port of call when you’re suffering with back or neck pain. A chiropractor is a healthcare professional who treats a patient’s neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Chiropractors can pinpoint exactly what is causing your back or neck pain, and treat and manage the issue not with surgery or medicine, but through spinal adjustments to maintain proper alignment.

Stand Tall and Straight 

Keeping your back straight and your head high is a simple way to improve posture. Doing so even makes you look better – standing up with good posture gives the illusion of appearing taller, slimmer and confident. To practice, try standing against a wall whilst holding your head straight and your chin tucked in. You should ensure your ears are positioned over the middle of your shoulders, whilst keeping your shoulders back, and your knees straight with your stomach in. Keep your butt and hips back too, and stand as straight as possible. Hold the position for a couple of minutes, and you’ll feel and see the difference!

Watch Out For “Text Neck”

Look around, and you’ll see 90% of people with their head in their smartphone. When using a smartphone, you’ll probably notice that most people tilt their head down – which is disastrous for posture, and neck and back health. Taking a minute to stretch your neck will help prevent spine issues, relieving strain and pressure. An even better solution is to hold your phone up higher and look up and down with your eyes, not your neck.

Don’t Settle For A Shoddy Mattress

A pathetic excuse for a mattress will kill your back over time. If your mattress is soft and saggy, throw it out. A firm mattress will help to hold your spine’s natural curvature, relieving pressure points and reducing the risk of back issues later down the line. Plus, you’ll enjoy better sleep! 

Ditch The High Heels!

Killer heels can really make us feel like a million dollars. But wearing skyscrapers on your feet too often for too long will cause you pain and possibly back problems later in life. To reduce stress on your spine – and to give your feet a break – opt for flats or smaller heels more often. Your back and feet will thank you for it!

Exercise And Maintaining A Healthy Weight

Gentle exercise like yoga or tai chi can really help to loosen and soothe the tensity in your body. Another problem to consider is weight around the abdomen – too much excess baggage on your belly puts stress on your back. You also need strong, toned muscles to support the spine, so losing excess fat and strengthening your muscles will help to keep your spine in prime condition

Abuse your spine with bad posture, and you’re setting yourself up for plenty of aches and pains down the road – some more serious than others. Act now, and you can prevent spine issues later on – which you’ll thank yourself for. Plus, what person wouldn’t want to look taller, slimmer and more confident?