Posture is the position you maintain while standing, sitting or lying down. You have good posture when your position creates the least amount of strain on supporting muscles and ligaments when you move or perform weight-bearing activity, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Maintaining good posture provides you with several advantages.
Comfort
Good posture and back support are essential for decreasing occurrences and levels of back and neck pain, advises chiropractor John Schubbe, writing at the Spine-Health website. A majority of people with back pain have positive results by improving their posture, notes the Cleveland Clinic. Good posture also prevents muscle aches and muscle fatigue. It keeps your bones and joints in proper alignment so you use your muscles more efficiently, preventing strain and overuse.
Future Health
You can prevent future health problems by maintaining good posture, explains the Cleveland Clinic. Proper posture reduces abnormal wear and tear on joint surfaces that can lead to arthritis, and it reduces stress on ligaments that connect spinal joints. Poor posture can result in the spine developing an abnormal permanent position. This can cause spinal disk problems and constricted blood vessels and nerves, along with dysfunction and chronic pain in muscles and joints, according to Schubbe.Good posture protects spinal joints from injury and deformity.
Proper Breathing
Breathing problems can develop due to poor posture. Good posture helps open the airways and improves breathing. Proper breathing allows enhanced oxygen flow in the cardiopulmonary system. The blood then carries sufficient oxygen to the nervous system, organs and other tissues, so they function effectively.
Appearance
Maintaining good posture also does wonders for your appearance. Proper posture helps you make a good first impression and look more attractive. When you avoid slouching, you look taller and slimmer. All these aspects should improve your self-confidence.
Methods
For good sitting posture, sit with your back straight and your buttocks at the back of your chair, recommends the Cleveland Clinic. Keep your feet flat on the floor and bend your knees at a right angle. When standing, you should be able to draw an imaginary straight line from your earlobe through your shoulder, hip, knee and the middle of your ankle.
