Good posture can help you to look more confident, feel more comfortable, and have less neck and back problems. It is an important aspect for individuals who do manual labor and spend a large portion of the day on their feet, but it is also significant for those who sit at desks for long periods of time. Having good posture can change the way that you feel about yourself and the way that others see you while also improving your health on a daily basis.
Problems
Individuals most commonly have poor posture because they are overweight, have back pain, or are not sitting on the correct type of chair. It is not uncommon for individuals who have bad posture to suffer from chronic neck, back, and head pain. But these are just the beginning of the problems that come from bad posture, which can eventually lead to decreased muscle tone, deteriorated vertebra, and reduced circulation throughout the body. If you slouch for long periods of time, it can cause discs in your back to slip out of place.
Posture Tips
Posture is more than simply standing with your shoulders back and your head up. While these parts are important, it is equally important to keep your back as straight as possible when standing up or sitting down. Your feet should be around hip width apart when standing and your legs should be slightly bent to allow your body some bounce back when walking. When you are sitting, it is important that your body stays upright and that your back is flat against the back of the chair. Your legs should be bent at a nearly right angle at the knees, and your feet should always be stable and flat against the floor.
You can also benefit from good posture when walking or running. Most people tend to walk hunched forward with their eyes and head towards the ground. This not only makes you look like you are not confident, but it can cause you to have a large amount of neck and back pain. Walk with your shoulders back, your chin parallel to the ground, and your stomach in line with the rest of your body.
Individuals who sit less and exercise more tend to adopt better posture as a result of the exercise. Good exercise practices can increase the function and tone of the muscles while forcing you to maintain good posture. A large amount of exercise can also reduce your weight, which will allow you to stand up straighter and have better form when sitting or standing.