Improve Posture – 6 Habits to Improve your Posture

Good health and well being begins with a good posture. Why posture? Simply because the 26 vertebrae that make your backbone support all the moves you make. So, when you slouch you add unnecessary pressure to your body causing fatigue, stress, headaches, severe back pain and other health issues.

Bad posture may come from sitting at your desk all day, reading with your head down, lack of exercise, carrying excessive weight or even lifting heavy weight using your back. Sometimes bad posture can even come from stress or low morale.

Here are some useful tips and techniques to improve posture:

1. Improve posture – The mirror way

Stand in front of a full-length mirror and align yourself to stand up straight. Check the alignment of the hip and ears both of which should form a straight line when you are standing.

Make sure to distribute your weight evenly on both feet. When checking yourself in the mirror you will notice how much nicer and slimmer you look if you have a good posture.

2. By sitting correctly

You can improve posture just by sitting the right way. Sitting long hours at your desk puts a lot of pressure on the inter-vertebral discs in your spine and reduces circulation to the legs and feet.

  • Adjust your computer monitor directly in front of you as it limits your neck moving from side to side excessively.
  • Adjust you chair height enough to ensure your wrists and arms remain straight while operating your keyboard, mouse or even while writing.

Stand every 30 minutes and maybe take a short walk—even if it is just for a minute.

Read additional tips on how to sit correctly during an interview at our blog – body language during interview

3. Exercise

Workout regularly to strengthen the muscles in the shoulder and the upper back. Also exercise to make your stomach muscles strong. A strong stomach muscle helps support the back especially if you are standing for long hours. Pro tip: Stretch when you wake up in the morning.

4. Walking tips

How many times have I heard my parents yell “tummy in, chest out and shoulders back?’ Gosh! An endless number of times (and how I resented that) but these three commands actually sum up correct posture. Look ahead of you while walking and not down.

5. Carrying weight

When lifting a heavy object bend from your knees and not your waist to avoid the stress on the back. Keep your backpacks, purses and bags well-balanced and as light as possible. Avoid carrying packs that weigh more than 15-percent of your body weight.

6. Sleep correctly

Use a firm mattress and pillows that ensure your neck and shoulders are properly supported. Try and sleep on your back as much as possible.

Following these simple steps will help you improve posture, make you walk tall and enjoy pain-free living.

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About the Author

Shalini is a fitness enthusiast and has been practising Pilates, doing spinning, yoga and various kinds of aerobics. She researches and reads extensively about health, nutrition and wellness. Shalini loves playing tennis,swimming and trying all sorts of sports.

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