POSTURE and YOUR HEALTH
How you hold your body affects your well being
Good Posture Is good for Your Health.
There’s more to posture than meets the eye.
Slouching doesn’t just hurt your image and attitude… The way you sit, stand, walk and even lie can say a lot about your health and happiness.
The Effects of Poor Posture on Your Health
There’s more to your posture than what meets the eye. Slouching doesn’t just hurt your image and attitude… Believe it or not, the way you sit, stand, and walk can say a lot about your health and happiness.
Your Posture and Your Health
First things first. Your spine and the muscles surrounding it are what keep you upright and straight, to begin with. So when you slouch or are hunched over, you are putting strain on these important ligaments, bones, and muscles, pulling them out of their natural positioning , your natural alignment. This misalignment and strain can quickly lead to long-term muscle and joint pain and damage.
And there is much more. Maintaining good posture actually protects your organs. By slouching (or slumping) in your chair, you are compressing your all-important organs and ultimately crushing them together - making your body work even harder to function normally.
When you slouch your lungs get compressed making it a challenge to take a deep breath, which directly impacts your nervous system and respiratory function. Try this: take in a deep breath while slouched over in your chair. Now take a deep breath in and out while sitting erect. Big difference right?! To compensate for the restriction of air, our lungs and heart are forced to work overtime causing undue stress on your body.
Poor Posture is also known to compromise your digestive organs, including your intestines. When this happens, the entire digestive process is slowed down which is not only uncomfortable but making it more difficult to digest your food and can be a real obstacle for our metabolism (which affects weight gain/weight loss).
So what can you do about poor posture?
Watch Your Posture at Home
Sit and Stand Up Straight. Standing tall will not only make you feel and look better, but it will help take the pressure off your important organs. To make sure you are standing straight, try standing against a wall with your knees straight (but not locked), chin tucked and head looking forward. Stay relaxed while stretching your head and neck towards the sky, and pay attention to the way your body is positioned.
Use a Towel or Blanket. While sitting at your desk or during a long car ride, it is very helpful to place a rolled-up towel or blanket behind your lumbar spine. This will help you sit up straight, keep a more relaxed position and avoid back and neck strain. Or, you can always purchase lumbar support that is specifically designed to protect your back and improve your posture. Most cars these days also have adjustable lumbar support which will often do the trick.
Lift with Your Legs. Always, always remember to keep your back straight and lift with your legs when moving heavy things like snow, dirty laundry baskets, or moody children. Avoid rotating your spine while lifting! Incorrect lifting techniques are dangerous and cause serious injury. When lifting heavy objects, bend your knees, keep your back straight and lift through your legs. Whatever it is you’re trying to pick up, keep it close to your body and don’t rush, or yank.
Pay Attention. Always try and do household chores standing upright. If you are leaning over to iron clothes or do the dishes, you’re straining those same muscles. Straighten up. Position the ironing board so that you are not bent over. Stand up with your shoulders level as you work. Pushing and pulling a vacuum cleaner is one of the most stressful household chores on your back; try operating upright without bending over and take frequent breaks to readjust your posture.
Watch Your Posture at Work
Be Aware of Your Workspace. Adjust your chair height and computer screen so it is at your eye level, and aim to have your chair height so that your arms form a 90-degree angle when you are typing or writing.
Take frequent breaks. Stand up and stretch, walk, even for a short distance ... get another glass of water towards your 64 oz daily requirement. Even sitting in your chair, raise your arms to the sky, make some arm circles, gently rotate your spine side-to-side. Not only will your posture and breathing improve, but you will re-energize yourself and be more alert.
We love our Heels. But they spell bad news for the spine. Carry a pair of flats for walking any longer distance – I walk a ton when in Santa Monica for our BonVie Santa Monica office and carry my heels in a big purse and just switch into them when I get to my work or fun destination. Wearing high heels too much forces your body into an unnatural position, putting immense amounts of pressure on muscles and joints that are not designed for such use.
Keep in mind these simple basics of good posture during work and play for a healthy body and reduced risk of injury. Your health and mood and energy are affected by not only what you put into your body, but also how you position your body. Good posture makes you look thinner and more confident, and you’ll be making big improvements in your health and wellness.
