When you were a child, you were probably told to “Sit up straight”, you might also have been told not to slouch when you walk. While you might not have appreciated these comments when you were a child, they can help you during your adult life. This is because poor standing and sitting habits can cause muscle tension and pain.
Let’s take a look at how you can improve your posture so you’re in a lot less pain:
Don’t Slouch in a Chair
Slouching in a chair may not always cause discomfort in your muscles. However, it can put a strain on them, which will cause them to hurt. Try to sit correctly, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. After a while, you will get used to sitting correctly and you’ll notice you’re in a lot less pain.
Leaning on a Leg
Many people tend to lean on one leg while they’re standing. Unfortunately, it can become uncomfortable. If you stand this way a lot of the time you might need physical therapy. This is because you will have placed extra pressure on one side of your hip and lower back. After a while, you might even have developed a muscle imbalance.
Try to adjust your position every time you notice you’re leaning on one leg. Try to stand with your weight evenly distributed between your legs. This will help to reduce the aches and pains.
Hunching Your Back
Have you ever noticed that when you’re using a computer or texting on your phone that you hunch your back? When you do this, you can end up having poor posture. This is because you’re arching your back and leaning your neck forward.
Sooner or later, you might sit or stand this way without realizing it. Try to stand and sit up straight, no matter how important the text is. With a bit of practice, you could automatically have a good posture when sitting or standing.
Rounding Your Shoulders
Do you round your shoulders? They are typically caused by having poor posture. In some cases, rounded shoulders can also be caused by trying to improve your chest strength, but failing to build the muscles in your upper back. Try to stand up straight with your head up and your shoulders back. Not only will you look better, but you’ll also feel taller. Did you know that standing this way can also help you to feel more confident? Try it, you’ll soon see how comfortable it is.
When you work on your posture, you make some small but very important changes. With a little bit of practice, you could soon find those aches and pains start to disappear. If you’re really struggling with your posture, please speak to your doctor, as they might be able to help you.
Adjust your posture every time you realize you’re not standing or sitting correctly. This will ensure you’re much more likely to stand or sit correctly without even thinking about it.
