Posture! So what’s holding you up? Or back?!
By Crystal Larocque
Heading into the fall season you might find yourself slumping over your desk, curling over a counter, or just waking up feeling like you spent the night on a cement slab.
Posture can affect our overall moods, confidence levels, and/or how we carry ourselves day-to-day. People who are confident, motivated, and optimistic will be standing tall, with their heads up, and their chests out. They will take a wider stance to give themselves a wider base of support, and they are likely to have a countenance that reflects positive feelings. When you see people like this, take note of this posture!!
What is posture?
Simply put, posture is: “a position of a person’s body when standing or sitting.” Good posture requires a person to maintain alignment of certain body parts.
Over 66% of Canadians suffer from back pain caused by poor posture. Over 25% of Canadians suffer from headaches related to poor posture. It’s worth remembering that the posture we adapt reveals more than just the simple alignment of our body parts. Our non-tangible, emotional states are directly linked to our physical forms.
Why is posture so important?
- Helps prevent muscle strain and pain
- Allows muscles to work more efficiently
- Prevents muscle fatigue
- Reduces stress
- Reduces anxiety
- Minimizes risk of injury
- Helps keep bone and joints in correct alignment so muscles are used correctly
Tips to Improve Posture
- Keep your ears in line with your shoulders (think alignment)
- Outer rotation of your shoulders and arms (open up to grace)
- Open your chest (think of squeezing your shoulder blades together)
- Look up (adjust your chair or computer screen so you’re not looking down and causing strain on your neck and shoulders, resulting in poor posture and back pain)
- Get support (look for lower lumber back supports, orthotics, etc)
It has to start somewhere!! Set daily reminders to keep yourself in check with your posture. Every hour you should take time to squeeze together your shoulder blades and get up from your desk for 5 minutes; to give your hamstrings a stretch.
Check out Restorative Yoga classes offered at One Health Clubs. These classes are designed to help you relax, open up, and relieve the stress of your week at work. You will relax, renew, and restore your body in a warm temp studio. This is a great add-on to your regular workout routine, and should be incorporated at least once a week for optimum results.
Have a check-up!! If you are having serious issues with your posture, see a specialist. One of our many trained professionals at Athlete’s Care can help you out.
Click here to find out when Restorative Yoga classes are offered at your Club.