Tips For How To Get Good Posture

Our posture influences our health and well-being in more ways than one. Good posture generates physical benefits like improved sleep and a strengthened core, as well as mental benefits like increased focus and productivity. There really is no limit to the positive outcomes that good posture generates, however sometimes it’s important to address the simple equation of how to get good posture. Let’s get this straightened out.

First thing’s first: What is good posture?

Posture involves the alignment of the spine and neck. Essentially it’s how we stand, sit or lie down. That’s right– you can have good posture while you sleep, too! Good posture isn’t as simple as just sitting upright. It actually is connected to muscle tension and gravity. In short, we use muscle tension to hold our bodies in an upright position, so that the weight of gravity doesn’t let us slump down to the ground.

Building up good posture takes funneling our focus into our body. Some of the body’s postural muscles automatically help us stand or sit upright, however others need a little coercion. Not only does alignment equate to good posture, but it also helps to create balance and mobility.

The role posture plays in our daily lives

Posture has everything to do with our lives. Just like breathing is something we do organically, our daily posture habits greatly affect our health and well-being. Truth is, our posture can even affect our long-term health. We’ve all had a loved one nag us to stop slouching or sit up straight, right? Well, it turns out there’s more to standing upright than just looking confident–which, by the way, is another positive benefit of good posture! Good posture can alleviate back pain, stimulate muscle mobility, prevent muscle strain and reduce impact and stress on the bones, joints and ligaments. Bottom line: good posture is the real deal.

How To Get Good Posture

The benefits of good posture are immense, with both immediate and long-term health results. That’s why it’s important to turn good posture into a habit now. The great thing about posture is that it can be trained. With practice and small lifestyle changes, you’ll be sitting upright naturally without giving it a second thought. Here are some tips for how to get good posture:

Exercise and Stretch

A vital contribution to good posture is muscle strength. What’s a great way to build muscle? You guessed it: exercising! Weightlifting isn’t the only way to strengthen the muscles, in fact– there are quite possibly more workout options now than ever. Explore different types of strength training like yoga, targeted workouts with back stretches, core exercises, etc., and incorporate your favorites into your routine 3-4 times a week. Exercising will strengthen the postural muscles and as a result, improve posture.

Practice good posture while you sleep

It’s easy to ignore our sleeping patterns, but they actually play a large role in how good we feel. Turns out, catching zzz’s has an effect on our posture. So, how do we set ourselves up to snooze properly? Start with your mattress. Ensure that you’ve got a firm mattress that still allows you to sleep comfortably. Don’t skip the pillow either, as it helps keep your sleeping position aligned. The preferred position for sleeping is on your back with a pillow beneath the knees, however most people sleep on their sides. Throw a pillow between the thighs for added back support. Avoid sleeping on the stomach, which can cause stress to the lower back.

Incorporate office or work ergonomics

Let’s face it, most people spend the majority of their days sitting at a desk or on standing on their feet for hours. This can create tension in the back, and ultimately influence our posture. If you work at a desk, incorporate an ergonomic chair that supports good posture, and always keep your computer or laptop at eye level. Working people spend roughly 40% of their day sitting, which is why it’s crucial to have your working environment structured to facilitate good posture.

Start Posture Training

Take your posture to the next level with posture training. Simply wear the Upright posture sensor for 15 minutes a day and you’ll turn good posture into a habit in as little as two weeks. Let’s face it, we’re busy, we’re social and we’ve all got to-do lists. The Upright wearable is a convenient and effective way to improve posture while actively working on your well-being.

There you have it! As you can see posture plays a pivotal role in our day-to-day lives. It’s important to have the tools to know how to get good posture because ultimately, our posture impacts our quality of life, both presently and in the long run.