Correct Posture for a Healthy Life
Awareness of correct posture can pay dividends. Unfortunately, a lot of us have poor posture and are not even cognisant of it. Having good posture can affect how other people see you but more importantly it can add valuable health benefits to your life. This is because if perfect posture is not adopted, extra strain is placed on muscles, joints, bones and organs as they are not where they are supposed to be.
Bad posture can occur for a multitude of reasons. Bad habits can be acquired during childhood and not corrected later in life. If they are not corrected they can lead to back problems.
Poor posture can be exaggerated when sitting, standing or walking. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that these activities are conducted correctly. This will help to reduce back pain and associated problems.
How can I see if my posture is correct?
Stand against a wall with your back. If your natural posture results in your bottom, shoulders and lower head are all connected with the wall, then you have a correct posture. If this is not the case then your posture is poor.
Health benefits of correct posture
There are many health benefits of good posture, these include;
· More efficient use of your muscles due to correct alignment.
· Reduce risk of permanent back problems.
· Reduce risk of damage to your spine which could lead to problems with joints and discs.
Tips to improving your posture
There are many ways to improve your posture, but here are a few to get you started;
While standing ensure your shoulders are kept upright and you are standing up straight. Have your arms having by your sides and your feet should be shoulder width apart.
While sitting make sure that you are not slouching and that you feet and flat to the floor. It is also a good idea to take regular breaks from your seat and stretch.