We have all been told by our mothers to keep our shoulders back and not slouch to avoid bad posture. “You’ll get a hump in your back if you sit that way!” she may have said.
No matter how many times you may have brushed it off, Mom had a point with her back advice. Maintaining good posture is necessary to prevent neck, shoulder and back pain.
Why Do You Need Good Posture?
When you hunch over, your spine curves in an unnatural way, which can weaken your vertebrae and cause poor circulation.
As a result of misaligned spine, you get back, shoulder and neck pain due to the strain and fatigue. When this happens, you are more inclined to continue your bad habits because any other position is uncomfortable. It becomes a cycle where your hunched state brings pain, which in turn worsens your posture.
What Is the Cause?
While Mom will point to your consistent slouching as the primary cause of your bad posture, there are many factors that contribute to it. From stress to weight to using bad furniture, your weak condition can be caused through many different ways.
Stress and weight problems have been increasing over time, both contributing to poor posture. Gaining and carrying weight puts lots of added pressure on your bones and muscles, which can throw your body out of alignment. Stress also ruins your spine because of the strain that happens over time.
Even the types of furniture you pick can affect your back’s state. Some chairs are designed to be ergonomic and support your back, while others are awful for your spine, lacking support and encouraging you to slouch.
Buying new furniture and mattresses that are built to bolster your back will help you maintain proper posture and encourage good habits.
How To Improve Posture?
It’s easy to stay in our usual patterns. If you have a good posture routine, your spine will stay straight and agile. However, with poor habits, you run the risk of worsening your back’s condition. Maintaining good practices is critical to reversing any pain. It is important to pay attention to your spine’s alignment when you’re sitting and standing.
Sitting
Make sure to keep your head level, not continuously facing up or down. This will keep your neck straight and prevent any added stress to those bones. Your shoulders should also be back for the same reason.
Standing
Wearing sturdy shoes can go a long way in helping your back’s health. Having strong support in your feet means that the rest of your body will also be in order. Like when sitting, keeping your shoulders back enforces proper posture. It is important to develop good standing habits as they can help maintain a healthy spine over long periods of time.
Make These Habits Today
Once you begin to incorporate ways to improve your spine, it will become much healthier over time. Even if you don’t listen to your mother on everything, make sure keep your shoulders back and don’t slouch. Your back will thank you later.