“Don’t be a slouch”, “do not hunch” and “keep your back straight” are some common phrases that most of us must have heard. All of these phrases are tips that help us in improving our posture. Posture is how you hold your body. This means that your body is positioned in a way that your weight is evenly distributed so that no muscles or ligaments are overstretched. Good posture is not only about standing upright but plays an important part in your long-term health.
It helps you prevent pain, injuries and various other health issues. A good posture ensures that your spine has three curves and the muscles on each side are balanced and strong. Now you must be thinking “how to quickly fix a bad posture”. It is possible to fix your posture but for every person, the pace may be different. Whatever your pace may be, we have highlighted some tips to help you achieve your goal.
1. Stay mindful of your posture
One of the easiest things that you can do to improve your posture is to stay mindful. While you are busy doing your daily routine tasks like watching television, reading a book, etc. make sure you sit in the correct posture.
2. Maintain a healthy weight
Extra body weight can weaken your muscles and create issues for your spine, pelvis and may also contribute to lower back pain. To prevent all of this, make sure that you maintain your body weight.
3. Stay active
People ask – what kind of exercises help fix posture? Any kind of exercise may be of help but there are a few types that are extremely helpful. These include tai chi, yoga or any other form of exercise that builds body awareness. It is always a good idea to choose exercises that strengthen your core.
4. Wear comfortable shoes
Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes on a daily basis as high heels put more stress on your muscles, resulting in a bad posture. We suggest you save those gorgeous high heels for a big night out.
5. Standing upright
Make sure you stand up tall and avoid a lousy posture as, along with your back, it harms your internal organs, including your lungs and intestines. Whenever you are trying to stand upright, assume that you are standing against a wall to measure your height. Standing upright will not only improve your posture but will also help you look better.
6. Avoid the “text neck”
There are various exercises that help you improve it including forward neck stretch, chin tucks, yoga, etc. Among others, one of the most common causes of text neck is slumping over a desk or hunching over a device. Some other common tips that help you improve your posture while sitting include:
- Commonly switch positions when you are sitting.
- Take brief walks.
- Relax your shoulders.
- Ensure that your feet touch the floor.
- Don’t cross your legs.
- Gently touch your muscles to relieve muscle tension.
Following are some tips that help you work on your posture while standing:
- Standing straight up.
- Keep your shoulders back when standing.
- Let you arms hang down naturally.
- Keep your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Keep your head level.