Have you ever gotten back pain just from sitting a certain way?
You were probably taking the wrong sitting posture hence the pain. Oh yes, there is a wrong way to do something as simple as sitting.
If you spend a large part of your day sitting, it is important to adopt a correct posture. Bad sitting posture can be damaging to your spine and your health in general. Good sitting posture should ensure proper alignment of your body parts, reduce strain on ligaments as much as possible and ensure that your spine does not get acclimatized to unhealthy and abnormal positions. Keep your lower and upper back straight, your hips, shoulders and hips aligned, and your feet flat on the floor.
Read through this article to discover the excellent health benefits of good sitting posture.
Benefits of good sitting posture
Once you have hacked it, sitting properly greatly benefits your health and your body. These benefits include
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Tension relief
Bad posture can put a strain on your neck, shoulders and back. Correct posture helps relieve this strain and leaves you feeling better and in less pain.
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Aids proper blood circulation
When your body parts are correctly aligned, blood flows better around your body. Your legs can start to feel numb after they have been crossed for a while. Proper sitting posture helps avoid that.
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Minimizes the risk of Temporomandibular joint pain
Bad sitting posture can make you lean forward in a way that strains the muscles and bones in your jaw. This can cause pain when doing simple things like eating and yawning.
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Improved lung function
Slouching can put unnecessary pressure on your lungs. Sitting up straight relieves that pressure and gives your lungs room to expand and you can breathe better.
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Self-confidence
Proper posture can make you feel great, both physically and emotionally and mentally. It can improve your self-esteem and make you feel in control at work.
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Extra height
If you want to appear a few inches taller, you can start by sitting straighter. Good posture makes you look taller and even slimmer. Do you see? It works well for aesthetics too!
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Better ageing
Great posture helps to reduce wear and tear on your joints and retain bone function as you grow older. Sitting properly helps you age gracefully.
Tips on Improving your sitting posture
Familiarizing yourself with good posture can take some time, especially if you have been sitting wrong for years. It takes practice, conscious effort to get used to it, and even more commitment to teaching yourself to maintain it. However, it is worth it once you have gotten the hang of it.
Here are some simple tips to help improve and correct your sitting posture
- Keep your feet flat on the floor
- Avoid crossing your legs at the ankle or the knees when sitting
- Keep your shoulders relaxed, resting your elbows and arms on your chair or the desk in front of you.
- Do not strain your neck. Sit up straight
- Make sure your back is resting comfortably on the chair at all times. If your back is uncomfortable resting on the chair, support yourself with a backrest or cushion.
- Take breaks. Do not sit down for hours on end. A ten-minute break for every hour spent sitting is ideal
- At work, always personalize your workspace. Make adjustments to the height of your chair, its distance from your table, all to serve the purpose of your comfort.
- Buy footrests, backrests, neck pillows, and anything to help your body remain in a good position. See it as an investment in your health.
Your health is influenced by many of your everyday habits, and you should pay attention enough only to pick up healthy ones. Your posture is integral to your life at home, in the office and even just hanging out with your friends.
If you have been sitting the wrong way all your life, it is not too late to make a healthy change. Speak to your Doctor, if you feel any pain or discomfort caused by your posture.