Why Good Posture is so Important

Good posture is a concept our mothers often reminded us of, but oftentimes fail to practice. The pitfalls of bad posture are neck pain, back soreness, and muscle strain. Some of these aches and pains are only short-term, but there are also long-term side effects to bad posture. Now that you might be working from home without access to the same comfort level of your usual office chair, maintaining good posture is extremely important.

There are lots of fascinating statistics about posture and you know bad posture when you see it…or feel it. For example, did you know that Americans spend $50 billion each year to treat their back pain? Or that almost 80 percent of Americans will experience back problems in their lifetimes? Posture is important because you and your health are important!

There are three main reasons why maintaining posture is so important. Dealing with the effects of COVID-19 might induce stress, tension, anxiety, poor coping skills, or uncertainty, but if we can control one thing it’s making sure we don’t subject our bodies to greater stressors, namely physical discomfort. Let’s get started!

Good Posture Reduces Stress on the Body

The spine has natural curves in the lower back, mid-back, and neck. Ideally, maintaining correct posture should keep these three curves in the correct position. When sitting, you should pay careful attention to your body. Keep your legs at 90 degrees, support your back, and relax your shoulders. Ultimately, your mindfulness and good posture practice should lead to more comfort, less joint and muscle fatigue, and of course, less back pain.

Good Posture Improves Your Breathing

Sitting or standing correctly should allow you to practice good breathing techniques and also allow you to inhale and exhale more fully. Inhaling slowly and deeply through your nose promotes better blood flow, and releases bodily toxins. On the other hand, shallow breathing can weaken the support of the T1-T12 vertebrae, hurting your posture. Instead of slouching forward, sit up straight and breathe as deep as you can and let your body thank you!

Good Posture Helps Maintain Spinal Alignment

Proper body alignment is how your head, shoulders, spine, hips, knees, and ankles line up with each other. Maintaining healthy alignment is challenging, but there are steps to relieving stress on your spine. From sitting to sleeping, your spine is at work so give it some breaks!

One of the easiest steps is to rest your back at work. Sit up straight to reduce pressure and walk around regularly to increase blood flow. When sleeping, place a pillow in between your legs if you’re a side-sleeper or place a pillow under your knees if you sleep on your back.

We’re here to help you find comfortable and valuable solutions. Reach out to your account manager, or visit us online and find the right ergonomic solution for you—we’ll even deliver it to your door! You’ll be glad you did, and you’ll feel it too.