Good posture is more than just standing up straight to improve the way you look. It’s also essential for the long-term health of your musculoskeletal system, as having good posture throughout your day can minimise the risk of injuries, aches, or other related health issues.
While getting into the habit of having good posture can be a challenge, there are plenty of general things you can do to help maintain good posture throughout your day.
In this article, we will look at posture and its effects on your health – as well as how you can improve your posture and ensure you have adequate back support for a lifetime.
What Is Posture?
Your posture is your body’s position while standing, sitting, or laying down.
Your spine has three natural curvature points at the neck (cervical curve), upper back (thoracic curve), and lower back (lumbar curve). Good posture works to maintain these natural curves without affecting their overall shape.
Having good posture is when your body can stand, sit, or lie down in a way that evenly distributes your body weight, placing minimal stress on your muscles, ligaments, and skeletal structure.
What Are The Negative Effects Of Poor Posture?
Poor posture can be caused by various factors, including weak muscles, stress, obesity, wearing unsupportive shoes, or developing poor posture habits such as slouching.
When you have poor posture, the natural curves of your spine are negatively affected, which can cause undue stress to your body’s structural systems leading to:
- Rounded shoulders
- Leaning or tilting your head
- Bent knees
- Upper and lower back pain
- Fatigue in the muscles along your back
- Tension headaches
What Are The Benefits Of Having Good Posture?
It’s critical to understand that your posture can have a significant effect on your physical health and mental well-being. This is especially true if you work in an environment where good posture is necessary, such as sitting in front of a desk or computer.
Having better posture can provide you with the following benefits:
- Better self-confidence
- Allows you to stand at your full height
- Less strain on your bones, joints, or muscles
- Fewer tension-related headaches
- Higher lung capacity
- Less compression on your internal organs
- Improved spine and neck health
5 Ways You Can Improve Your Posture
Even if you haven’t focused on having good posture for a while, there are plenty of ways to slowly begin to correct your posture to benefit your long-term health.
- Have Proper Back Support While Sitting or Sleeping
If you spend long periods sitting in the office or at home, we recommend investing in an ergonomic chair that can provide proper back support. Furthermore, you can make good use of lumbar rolls or cushions to help support your lower back while sitting or driving.
As for back support while sleeping, ensure that your mattress is sturdy enough to support your spine, and use a pillow that can adequately support your neck.
- Have An Active Lifestyle
General exercise and sports can help to improve your posture. Still, specific exercises (yoga, tai chi, pilates) can help improve your posture by strengthening your back and stomach muscles, especially if you dedicate yourself to doing them on a regular basis.
- Maintain Good Posture Throughout Your Day
Repeatedly remind yourself to stand tall and not slouch while sitting until maintaining a good posture becomes second nature. This involves straightening your spine and moving your shoulders to a natural position. Also, try to break the habit of crossing your legs at the knee, as this can affect your posture while sitting down.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes
Whether standing or walking, comfortable shoes allow you to maintain balance and posture with little effort.
On the other hand, shoes such as high heels can affect your centre of gravity and your balance, forcing you to change how you walk and place undue stress on your muscles and posture.
- Have Everything At A Comfortable Height
No matter what you’re doing, be sure that everything is at a comfortable height for you to view or reach, so you don’t overly strain your posture.
For example, when working, you can avoid hunching over your keyboard or laptop by ensuring that the screen is at eye level to prevent tilting your head up or down to view the screen. Similarly, you should adjust your seat while driving to ensure you don’t have to lean too far forward or back to reach the pedals or driving wheel.
Improving Your Posture At Coolaroo Clinic
Are you looking for ways to rectify or improve your back posture? At Coolaroo Clinic, our doctors will be happy to advise you on any posture concerns that you may have. Contact us for inquiries or appointment bookings today!