Good posture is so important, especially as the body ages, as this will help to keep you looking youthful, while preventing other health issues. If you know that your posture could do with some improvement, here are a few tips to help you get started.
Standing
When standing, good posture means that your shoulder and back are aligned, and your stomach muscles should be used to keep your body straight. Slightly bend your knees, as this eases any pressure on your hips, and make sure that the shoes that you wear offer enough support to keep you standing straight. Many people tend to stick their chests out when standing, but instead, your chest should really be perpendicular to the ground. If you are standing in the same place for long periods of time, do not hold this position for too long, as you should really be moving around as much as you can, and shifting your weight around your body.
Sitting
Many people often spend the majority of their day sitting down, and practising bad posture during these times can lead to so many different problems. However, all you need to do is keep your head straight, rather than tilted up or down, while keeping your shoulders back. Your knees should be slightly lower than your hips, and your feet should be flat on the floor. Try to relax as much as possible, making use of breathing exercises if needed, as any tension will have an impact on your posture.
Walking
When walking, many people make the mistake of looking down at their feet, but, instead, keep your chin parallel to the ground, and your gaze directed several feet ahead of you. As you take each step, your heel should hit the ground first, before rolling onto the toe, and your back should be straight rather than arched.
Running
Just like when you are walking, your head should be up and looking several feet ahead when you are running. However, it is absolutely fine to be leaning forwards slightly, but make sure that your elbows are loose and are hanging at a 90 degree angle.
Sleeping
Your sleeping posture is extremely important, but this is something that many forget about. To begin with, a firm mattress that provides plenty of support is essential, as is a quality pillow that minimizes any spinal curves. However, make sure that you do not end up sleeping on a tall pile of pillows, as this can cause your neck to bend unnaturally. Sleeping on your stomach can also result in excess pressure on your spine, so try to sleep on your side or back instead, with a pillow either between your legs or under your knees for extra support.
In general, good posture involves having a relaxed appearance and a neutral spine, and does not require you to stand up stiff and straight, like many would imagine. While you may not think that posture is that important, having a good posture can do everything from improve your organ function to improving mental performance to increasing height, so do take the time to ensure that your posture is as good as it can be.
