Are you a slouch? If your answer is yes, then you may want to straighten up. Poor posture can cause your neck, shoulders, back and legs to pick up the slack. And when they do, injuries are more likely to happen because you’re thrown off balance.
That’s not all. A study conducted at the University of Leeds, UK, discovered a connection between muscles in the neck and a part of the brainstem that regulates blood pressure and heart rate. When it’s thrown out of whack it may affect your heart. Also, when your posture is poor your rib cage gets compressed and internal organs press against your lungs, keeping them from expanding efficiently. The result? Less oxygen in your blood. On top of all that, good posture makes you appear younger, more vital and confident.
Are you convinced good posture pays off? Well, try these easy ways to stand tall:
Check it out. Use a mirror to align your ears, shoulders and hips. Proper alignment places your ears loosely above your shoulders and your shoulders above your hips. Look at your side view in a mirror to be sure you're not forcing your back into an unnatural position.
Exercise the muscles across your upper back and shoulders for strength. Try this with or without light hand weights: When your ears are aligned over your shoulders, raise both arms straight up, alongside your ears. Do 10 repetitions with both arms, then alternate 10 reps individually for each arm.
