5 Helpful Tips To Improve Your Posture

Poor posture is a not a habit that happens overnight, it is built over the course of time, when you continuously sit and stand the wrong way throughout the course of your day. If your poor posture is beginning to turn into second nature, the time has come to make an adjustment. The following list provides helpful tips for doing so.

1. Don't Become Too Sedentary

As more and more of us turn to office work and other sedentary jobs as a means of making a living, our muscles become tired. When the muscles tire, it is much easier to lapse into behaviors that are bad for our posture, including slumping and slouching.

If your job requires you to sit in a chair for the majority of your day, it is recommended that you get up an hourly basis to stretch your muscles and keep them from becoming fatigued. A stand or a walk also works wonders. What's more, it's important to use a proper computer chair for office work, so get some Overstock.com promo codes, which will help you save a little money, and make sure you sit right.

2. Identify Warning Signs

Back pain is not something to be ignored and the same goes for neck pain. When you begin to notice painful flareups, especially at certain times, this is typically a sign that your posture and the level of attention you are paying to ergonomic detail need to improve.

The pain can also originate in the neck and upper back and make its way throughout the body and cause discomfort in a number of extremities. Pain does not happen randomly, it is your body's way of sending you a warning, a warning that you should heed.

3. Exercise Regularly

While the aforementioned tip about getting up to stretch and walk periodically will help, it is not a substitute for regular exercise. By swimming, walking, running or participating in any other strenuous activity, the body remains in proper condition and the muscles in and around the back remain strong.

Regular exercise, as well as exercises to strengthen neck also promotes a decreased instance of injury. The upper body sustains less injury and pain when the core muscles are kept strong.

4. Maintain Good Posture In Motion

Going for a walk does you no good if you are holding a cell phone between your face and shoulder blade. Maintaining good posture is important while sitting, but it is just as crucial when you are in motion.

When lifting objects, be sure to lift with your legs and avoid any unnecessary twisting. Always walk tall and keep your shoulders back to avoid injury or strain on the back.

5. Avoid Overcompensation

Do not fall into the trap of using overprotective posture. Posture should be relaxed on the whole, with minimal stiffness and absolutely no clenching. This can be more difficult for those who are already experiencing some form of pain below the neck, as it is the body's natural instinct to protect itself from additional suffering.

However, the spine is designed to handle your body's natural movements and any restrictive motion can cause problems over the long haul.