Why Your Posture Matters
How often do you think about your posture? If you’re like most people, it’s probably not very often. However, your posture is very important. It’s about more than just how you look or how you carry yourself. Good posture has a lot of benefits while bad posture can have significant drawbacks. Here are some of the most important ways that posture matters.
Avoid Neck, Back, and Shoulder Pains
Pain is one of the most obvious downsides of poor posture. If you’re sitting or standing in a slumped or strained manner, you’re putting additional stress on your body. For instance, if you’re frequently look down at your phone, tablet, or other device, this puts strain on your neck. The more you lean forward, the more weight you’re asking your neck to carry. Hunching over while standing or sitting can strain your core muscles, resulting in back pain. Sitting in a position where your back is unsupported puts pressure on the disks in your spine, and that can cause misalignment or herniation.
In short, you put stress on your body when you have poor posture. Correcting your posture reduces pain and helps you body function as it should.
Be More Productive
Did you know that poor posture could be reducing your productivity? For instance, if you sit slouched over, you give your lungs less room, reducing your lung capacity. This makes it harder to take in oxygen, which can make it more difficult to think clearly.
Also, as mentioned, poor posture causes pain. When you’re in pain, it’s harder to get work done. For instance, pain or tension in your neck can give you a headache. Being productive while you have a headache is certainly a chore. By fixing your posture, you’re able to get more done.
Good Posture Reduces Stress
Poor posture doesn’t just put your body under stress and strain, it also negatively affects your mood. When you’re in pain or your muscles are tense, this can cause your fight-or-flight response to kick in. Your brain thinks something is wrong, so it increases your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. It prepares itself to deal with a threat.
This can be helpful when you’re actually trying to avoid a threat, since things will return to normal once the threat passes. However, if you’re constantly tense for long periods, it becomes stressful and tiring. It can even result in chronic stress, which is bad for your body in many ways. By fixing your posture, you help your body and mind relax.
How to Fix Your Posture
Now that you understand the drawbacks to poor posture, it’s time to look at some ways to improve it. One of the best ways is to be aware of your situation. If you’re sitting or standing in one spot for a while, think about how your body is positioned. How do you feel? Does something feel strained or sore? Are you slouched or hunched over? If something feels wrong, adjust your position. Just being aware of your posture and taking steps to correct it can be helpful.
Many people experience pain or discomfort while working. If you sit at a desk all day looking at a computer screen, make sure your monitor, keyboard, and mouse are positioned so that you can use them without straining. Keep your feet flat on the floor and adjust your chair so you’re sitting naturally. This can provide considerable benefit.
You’ll also want to take frequent breaks. Stand up or move around every 30-60 minutes. Do some light stretches if you’re able. This will reduce the stress placed on your body.
If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort, we’re here to help. Book an appointment with us and we’ll do a full evaluation and help you understand any lifestyle factors (such as poor posture) that may be negatively affecting your body. Have questions? Contact us and we’ll make sure you get the answers you need!