3 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR POSTURE & PREVENT A CURVED BACK
Lacey THREE WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR POSTURE AND PREVENT A CURVED BACK
The first step to improving your posture is to know what to look out for and how bad your current posture might be. The most common posture problem is a bad forward curve in the lower back, causing a curved back, swayback, or scoliosis as it’s commonly known. This can be caused by sitting at a desk all day and slouching down over your computer, but it can also result from bad habits like slouching on the couch while watching TV, or from natural spinal curvature caused by genetics.
Stand up straight
If you’re like most people, you walk around throughout your day hunched over. While sitting in front of a computer all day long is definitely taking its toll on our bodies, so are all those hours we spend hunched over with our heads down or slumped in front of TV.
Strengthen your abdominal muscles
Maintaining good posture is all about developing strong abdominal muscles, which will support you from underneath. Your tummy is your body’s natural weight-supporting machine, so if it’s weak or inactive, other parts of your body have to take over—and we all know what happens when someone tries to do something their body isn’t ready for. To help you on that front, try incorporating basic yoga poses into your day: they strengthen core muscles while improving flexibility and balance.
Stretch regularly
Stretching lengthens muscles, which may reduce strain on them. Also, try to avoid sitting for extended periods of time—every hour or so, stand up from your desk, and stretch your arms overhead. You’ll not only feel better, but you’ll also be preventing unnecessary wear and tear on your body. In addition to stretching and standing more often during work hours, take regular breaks throughout the day that allow you to move around freely; five minutes every hour should do it. If you have a job that requires manual labor, be sure to take frequent breaks as well; don’t just sit at your desk all day!