Your parents were right! Good posture is important

“How’s your posture?”

Ask almost anyone this question, and they will immediately, sheepishly straighten up– because most of us habitually slump over, whether sitting, standing or moving.

It’s a bad habit worth breaking!?

Poor posture can have many detrimental effects on your body and overall health:

?? Slouching or “text neck” can cause back, shoulder and neck pain, as well as jaw pain and headaches due to spinal misalignment.

?? Spinal misalignment causes wear and tear on your spinal discs, joints, and ligaments, affecting balance and flexibility.

?? This combination makes your body more prone to injury.

?? Over time, the compression of your internal organs can make it harder for you to breathe deeply or digest food properly.

By contrast, maintaining good posture not only works towards preventing these outcomes but carries additional benefits:

?? Improved lung capacity and circulation and proper digestion lead to more energy and better muscle function.

?? Better posture means better form while exercising, optimizing your workouts.

?? Better posture can also mean increased confidence and better self-image. This is partially due to the fact that standing up straight makes you look taller and slimmer, but most people also think of “head high, shoulders back” as a power pose: the simple act of straightening up not only makes them feel more assertive, but helps them be perceived by others as more confident.

To get a better understanding of what good posture feels like:

Stand against a wall as if you’re measuring your height. (There should be some space between your lower back and the wall, as your spine does have a natural curve.) Your ears should be over your shoulders, your shoulders and hips should be even, your chin should be parallel to the floor, and your weight should be evenly distributed on the balls of your feet, not your heels.

To improve your posture for a healthy spine, long-term:

??Incorporate exercise into your routine that build your core and enhance your body awareness.?

??Look into ergonomic options for the office, like extra back support or rests for your feet.

?? Don’t spend long periods of time looking down at your phone.

?? Take frequent movement breaks from any screens.

?? Invest in good backpacks that evenly distribute weight across both shoulders.

?? Put up post-it notes, set reminders on your phone, or ask those around you to periodically remind you to stand up straight!