We spend most of our day sitting behind a desk and looking at our computer screens. Now, this wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for our slouching. It’s not just limited to our workplace. Even when we are at home, we sit in a bad posture no matter what we are doing. The situation is pretty much the same for people of all age groups. Sitting in a bad posture is pretty common despite its various side effects. Not only does it lead to back pain and other physical complications, but it also induces stress and puts you in a bad mood. It’s never too late to change though. Yes, it is not going to be easy and it will require your time and dedication, but you can improve your posture.
Here are the five best ways to improve your posture:
Don’t Forget to Get Up:
Just because you have to sit behind your desk doesn’t mean you can’t get up every half an hour to stretch your body. If you keep sitting for a long period of time, you will feel inclined to slouch. Sitting all day long is not only bad for your posture, but also for your heart. If you are among the group of people who sit for the most part of the day, you are at risk of dying of a heart attack. So if you get up at least once an hour for a brief stroll, it will help improve your posture and keep your heart healthy.
Plant Your Feet on the Ground:
For the ladies out there, forget what everyone told you about crossing your legs if you want to sit ladylike. Because sitting with your legs crossed is terrible for your body. It can cause back problems. While sitting with both of your feet planted on the ground can be a bit uncomfortable at first, it is the healthier way to sit. Sitting with your feet on the ground is right for your posture and this way it will be easier for you to sit up straight.
Your feet and your posture are closely related. Your body weight should be evenly distributed between your feet and when that doesn’t happen, it badly affects not only your feet but also your overall health. If you want to strengthen the muscles in your feet, walk around barefoot when you are at home. Another way to ensure that your feet’s muscles stay healthy is by choosing the right footwear. Avoid wearing heels and other uncomfortable shoes frequently. Go for shoes that provide arch support.
Sit Straight:
If you want to improve your posture, sitting straight will be of great help. Set reminders on your phone or ask your coworkers to remind you to sit up straight. Keep your chin up. Reading files? Bring them up to you instead of bending down to read them. Apply the same rule when you are using your smartphone. Upgrade your workstation, so your computer screen’s middle is at your eye level. Follow these simple tips so you can start sitting straight, but if these things don’t help as much as you would like them to then you can also try a body shaper or get a high-backed chair so your back can get the maximum support.
Exercise, Yoga, or Dance:
You can take your pick; the only rule is that you have to keep your body moving. Make time in your daily schedule for a workout or yoga session and notice the difference in your posture in a few weeks. Not a fan of exercise and yoga? No worries, start taking dance lessons. Your dance instructor will keep reminding you of the importance of the right posture. Dancing will help you keep your back straight. It will also make you more aware of your bad ways regarding your back’s health and motivate you to start taking your posture seriously.
Working out or doing any activity is a must for your health. Inactivity for an extended period of time can cause a lot of health problems. So start spending 30 minutes every day doing physical activity to improve your posture and also to stay healthy.
Avoid Bending:
You often bend down to retrieve items at your home but bending down puts a strain on your spine and can lead to bad posture. To avoid those problems, place the items you often need at your waist height. So next time you are organizing or reorganizing your storeroom or garage, place the frequently required items on top shelves instead of putting them on the floor.
So if you are sitting in a bad posture right now (just like everybody else) then think of all its side effects and motivate yourself to stop slouching. Improve your posture by making the necessary changes in your lifestyle and ensure a healthy future for yourself.