Straightening Up for a Good Posture

Posture is the position in which you hold your body upright against gravity while standing, sitting or lying down. Good posture involves training the body to stand, walk, sit and lie in positions where the least strain is placed on supporting muscles and ligaments during movement or weight-bearing activities.

The following suggestions can help you maintain a good posture while:

Sitting: Experts recommend sitting all the way back in our chair. Placing a small, rolled-up towel or lumbar cushion behind your mid-back will help to protect the spine’s natural curve. Bend the knees at a right angle and keep them the same height, or a bit higher, than the hips. Place feet flat on the floor.

Standing: Stand straight with shoulders back, knees straight, and belly tucked in. For the correct posture, hold the head straight, chin tucked in and ears over the middle of the shoulders. This will make you feel better, look better and appear slimmer. Do not let the hips stick out. Straighten up to feel like your head stretches towards the sky.

Driving: Do not recline. Move the seat close to the steering wheel to support the curve of your back. The seat should be close enough to allow the knees to bend and the feet to reach the pedals.

Using the mobile phone: Do not tilt your head down, since that can restrain the spine. For a better view, lift the phone up and move your eyes, not your head.

Sleeping: Choose a firm mattress to aid in holding the spine’s natural shape. If you are a side sleeper, do not sleep on your side with your knees drawn up to your chest. Avoid sleeping on your stomach, especially on a saggy mattress, since this can cause back strain and can be uncomfortable for your neck. Place a pillow under your head so it is at level with your spine. Back sleepers should ditch the thick pillow and opt for a small one under the neck.

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