Correct body posture is something we all take for granted. Yet sitting or standing with poor posture can lead to all kinds of aches and pains. Here’s a list of Dos and Don’ts to ensure you fix your body posture, starting today.
Do Stand Tall
For good body posture when standing, always hold yourself erect. Keep your head straight with your chin tucked in. Pull your shoulders back, keep your stomach tucked in, and knees straight. Take care not to let your hips jut out. Feel your body straighten up and visualize your head reaching skywards. Make a conscious effort to follow this method of standing, always.
Do Exercise To Improve Posture
Exercise can help fix balance issues, tighten up loose muscles, and build strength in muscles that support good posture. For instance, exercises that help build core strength and flexibility are good to include in your exercise regimen. Tai Chi and Yoga, in particular, are two activities to improve body positioning and general awareness of your body and posture.
Do Try and Maintain A Healthy Body Weight
Being overweight can add additional strain on your body, especially on the spine and pelvic region, and may result in lower back pain. All of these aches and pains may further worsen your posture.
Do Adjust your Workstation and Working Surfaces
Ensure your desk at work and countertops in the kitchen are at the right height for you. If they aren’t, use a short stool or laptop table to adjust their height to something comfortable for you.
- Your desk should be at a height that allows the monitor of your computer to line up a level to your eyes.
- Your chair must allow your feet to sit flat on the floor and not dangling above the ground. If you are short, put a footstool or footrest to ensure your thighs are parallel to the ground and feet flat on the floor.
- Get a chair that offers good back support.
- Ensure your forearms are parallel to the floor and your arms make an L-shape at the elbows
- Consider some activities to improve body position and seating mindfully, every hour or two. This might be a series of stretches you do at your desk or even just straightening up your body and sitting more consciously.
Do Lift Your Smartphone (Or Book!) Up Higher
Avoiding phone usage is not an option for most people. But you can improve your posture while reading or texting. Instead of keeping your head bent down to read from your phone, bring the phone up so it is at eye level. This should reduce the strain on your spine and neck. The same applies to when you are reading a book.
Don’t Slouch
This goes without saying, but slouching is terrible for your posture. It stresses the spine as well as the muscles, joints, and bones that support it.
Don’t Play Statue!
Staying in the same position for a long time can be just as bad as having a bad posture. Get up and walk around every hour or so. Stretch your body in these breaks to ease any muscle tension.
Don’t Be Afraid Look in The Mirror
When you’re trying to work on good body posture, don’t forget to look in the mirror to check your posture. It will help you notice problems and allow you to correct them consciously.
Don’t Wear Very High Heeled Shoes
Your shoes should be comfortable, low, and well-balanced. Extremely high heels can affect your balance and change your gait. This can strain muscles and adversely affect posture.
Don’t Cross Your Legs When Seated
Crossing your legs can make your hips/pelvis rotate or tilt. After a while, this can bring on lower back pain. Sit with your feet flat on the ground.
Relief from Pain Due to Poor Posture
If you’re constantly sitting or standing badly, it could take its toll on your body. You may wind up with back pain or pain in the shoulder, neck, or other parts of the body. For immediate relief from such aches and pains, you could try a simple and fast-acting over-the-counter remedy like Omnigel. Available as a pain relief gel and a pain relief spray, this topical pain remedy eases inflammation, aches, and pains arising from bad posture. Its effect lingers for a few hours, so it can give you that much-needed breather from the pain.
