7 Reasons to Stand Up Straight

8/1/2014

Bad posture can ruin a first impression, but it can also wreak havoc on your health.

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t spend much time thinking about how you stand and sit. Sitting, standing or sleeping with your body out of alignment can stress muscles and ligaments, particularly in the back, and increase risk for injury and pain.

You might not be surprised to learn poor posture can result in back pain, but it can also:

• cause incorrect functioning of muscles and bones, which wears out joints
• contribute to negative self-image
• force the body to expend more energy
• increase risk for age-related shoulder slumping
• interfere with proper organ function, including digestion
• lead to poor sleep

You can improve your posture, but it will take time. With some conscientious effort, you can straighten up your hunched, slumped or slouched profile.

The key to improving posture lies in eliminating habits you may not realize are harmful.

If you work a desk job, for example, you likely sit for long periods without stretching, cross your legs often and lean forward in your chair — all bad practices. Instead, enhance your ergonomics by sitting up straight, keeping your feet on the floor and moving your monitor or desktop closer to you instead of leaning toward it. Get up periodically to walk around and stretch.

When you stand, strive for symmetry. Both sides of your body should be balanced, with your shoulders flexed backward, head up and weight evenly distributed between the feet.

Take your newfound awareness of the importance of posture into everyday activities. If you’re an athlete, learn the proper way to hold your body during play and how to perform your sport’s motions correctly. When lifting, remember the old adage: Bend your knees, not your back.

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