Do you compare yourself to your elegant, regal looking friends and always seem to come up short? Not so coincidentally, do you often find yourself slumping or doubled over from back, neck and shoulder pain?
There may be a simple cure for that. Something as basic as good posture can help alleviate pain and keep you standing and sitting tall and confident—not to mention help you feel stronger!
Now if you don’t currently have the best posture, the good news is that there are some simple things you can do to get there gradually. You’re mother may have been harping on some for years, but others might come as a surprise to you. Read on to find out five easy ways to improve your posture—your back, and your mother, will thank you.
5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Posture
Stand and Walk Tall
Standing tall seems like the obvious thing to do, but few people do it. Not only will you feel more confident, but you’ll also look better and feel better about yourself. When walking or even standing, pretend that your back is against a wall—as if someone is measuring your height. Lengthen your neck and head so that they feel as elongated as possible. This is one of the best, easy ways to improve your posture.
Prioritize Sitting Up Straight
Sitting is one of the biggest problem positions when it comes to posture. So many people naturally slouch or hunch over, forgetting to sit up straight and keep their spine aligned. Slouching puts unnecessary pressure on the bones, muscles, and organs. Whenever you sit, be sure that you are sitting up straight with your shoulders back. This practice alone can make a huge difference in your posture and will help you see significant results over time.
If you need some assistance, there are also helpful products on the market worth investing in to help you get there, such as a posture corrector. It encourages your shoulders, back, and spine to align correctly. As a result, you’ll notice less pain from poor posture.
Reduce Smart Phone Screen Time
We spend a lot of time on our phones these days, but we rarely consider what this does to our posture. Try reducing your time staring at your smart phone screen. Or, instead of craning your neck over to look at your screen, lift it up so that it’s naturally in front of your gaze. You’ll also be amazed by what this does for your relationships and well being in general.
Choose Posture-Friendly Footwear
While a pair of heels may make for a great fashion statement for a night out on the town, more sensible and comfortable shoes benefits your spine. Wearing foot friendly shoes, flats, or even chunky heels or wedges in place of stilettos helps promote better posture and doesn’t place unnecessary pressure on your back in the process.
Exercise for Core Strength
The more fit and toned you are, the less strain you place on your back. Plus, a strong core has the toned muscles it needs to support your spine. Whether you’re doing cardio, spinning, yoga, crunches, weightlifting, or another exercise, a stronger core equals a powerful posture.
Neck and shoulders hurt? Got an aching back? You’re not alone, and we can help! Here are 5 easy ways to improve your posture.