Our parents have all told us,
“Stand up straight." It might have simply
felt like nagging, but it is, in fact, so important that May has been
designated National Correct Posture Month. Correct posture is more than just
standing up straight and it affects more than others’ perception of you. Here
are 7 ways better posture can improve your health.
1. Reduces Back and Neck Pain
In our modern society, we sit a lot. Sitting with poor
posture can create a lot of tension in our muscles. Make sure you are sitting
up straight and not hunching your shoulders up towards your ears. Attending to
your posture while you are sitting can help make the rest of your day better.
2. Increases Lung Capacity
When you stand up straight and pull your shoulders back to
their correct position, you allow your lungs to expand fully when you breathe.
Taking deeper breaths increases oxygenation to our brain and muscles, which
makes us feel more energetic.
3. Helps Joints
It reduces wear on your joints. When your body is out of
alignment, your muscles need to work harder to contract. This creates stress
and wear on your joints, which can lead to the development of arthritis.
Maintaining correct posture helps reduce this stress.
4. Decreases Tension Headaches
It decreases the frequency of tension headaches. Poor
posture creates tension in the neck, which can cause tension headaches. Keeping
your spine neutral and your shoulders back and down can help prevent those
nasty headaches.
5. Improves Digestion
When our organs are compressed by us hunching forward,
especially while sitting, they cannot provide their essential functions. Also,
slouching or laying down after you eat can cause food and bile to move back up
into your esophagus which leads to acid reflux. Taking a stroll or doing some
other upright activity after you eat will aid in your digestion.
6. Decreases Risk of Injuries
It decreases the risk of strain and injuries. When your
body is in proper alignment, your muscles and ligaments can function the way
they are supposed to. Maintaining proper posture helps prevent some avoidable
injuries to the soft tissues.
7. Increase Self-Confidence
When you stand up straight, you will appear taller and more
confident to other people, which will affect the way they treat you and you see
yourself. Your body will also feel better, which will reduce stress and allow
you to spend your energy in ways that will benefit you.
Adding Superberries to your diet is a great way to improve
your health, but focusing on your correct posture is a gift to your whole self.
It is not, though, a person’s fault if they do not stand up straight. It can be
an issue with weak muscles, body misalignment, or other reasons. Seeing a
doctor can help determine what you need to do to reap the benefits of good
posture.
