Unveiling the Power of Posture: Beyond Looks and Confidence, How Good Posture Shapes Your Health and Happiness!

Good posture isn’t just about looking good & feeling great because you’re standing tall, it’s also about your overall health!

Let’s talk about bad posture first. Having rounded shoulders, slumping or hunching all day has quite a few negative effects on the body. It can cause digestive issues because your digestive organs are compressed and can’t function properly. You could have breathing problems because your lungs aren’t able to expand fully when you breathe in which leads to shallow breathing. It can increase stress on your spine leading to tension headaches, muscle strain and pain. With all this going on you’re bound to feel fatigue and just generally meh!

So what are some common postural issues we face in everyday life?

Forward head posture or “tech neck” is really, really common! This posture is when your chin juts forward and your head is away from your body. It is due to spending long periods of time looking down at screens or desktops.  This posture can also contribute to rounded shoulders that can also be exacerbated by a slouched or hunching posture especially when sitting for long periods or in awkward positions. Slouching and hunching can also affect your self-esteem making you feel more anxious and less confident. Last but certainly not least, uneven hips can happen due to carrying a heavy bag (or bags) on one shoulder, sitting crossed legged or standing leaning on one leg. 

How can chiropractic help?

As chiropractors we restore alignment and movement to the spine and by addressing these imbalances we can correct posture leading to better overall performance in everyday life. Chiropractic is safe & non-invasive giving the body encouragement to heal itself. Having regular care means consistently correcting imbalances & ensuring proper spinal alignment that in the long run may allow you to avoid pain and discomfort caused by these postural issues. It may also reduce your risk of injury caused by poor posture.

Now you know all that what are some solutions? Apart from seeing your Chiropractor regularly ☺

There are loads of gadgets and gizmos out there to help with posture. You could try a smartphone or tablet holder and laptop stands to help with “tech neck”. There are ergonomic chairs (portable ones are available for those of you who have an office on the go) to help with slouching and sitting for long periods. Choosing the right bag with padded straps that distributes weight evenly across your back and shoulders is a must and there are even posture-correcting devices that you can wear like posture trainers or smart clothing that remind you to stand up straight!!

It is important to set reminders on you phone, computer or smart watch so you can check and correct your posture over the day, especially if you’re stuck sitting behind a desk for long periods. Getting up and taking regular breaks is important, this will also help prevent stiffness and get your circulation going. Another thing you can do is mirror or window reflection checks! Whenever you walk past a mirror or window have a quick look at your posture. This visual check will help you correct and maintain your posture throughout the day.

When you’ve got more time you can focus on stretching and strengthening. Click this link to see a video on 3 simple yoga stretches. Remember when you start something new listen to your body and never push yourself into pain or discomfort, it’s always a good idea to consult with a health professional before starting any new exercise routine.

Core exercises are also really important because a strong core supports proper posture and makes it easier to maintain good posture over time.

Finally what about feeling great?

Social psychologist Amy Cuddy and her colleagues discovered that “Power poses” which are body postures that convey confidence and power, think the classic Wonder Woman pose of hands on hips, head held high and feet firmly planted on the ground, can actually make us feel more powerful and confident. 

When we stand tall with our shoulders back & head held high we project an image of self-assurance and our brain receives positive feedback reinforcing this confident state. Research has demonstrated that maintaining good posture can lead to increased confidence, self esteem and reduced stress.

So remember when you stand tall you don’t only look great but feel great too!!