Working on your feet all day can be a taxing matter all the way from the soles of your feet to the top of your head. You hold up your entire weight all day long while also probably squatting, stretching, and bending down to do things.
You easily can go home sore, especially in the lower back area. Your legs can feel exhausted, and your feet can throb.
One answer to these woes, however, is easier than you think—and it doesn’t require you to quit your job. It just requires you to stand up straight and work on your posture.
Why Posture Is Important
It’s easy to think that by having good posture the only thing that benefits is your back. But that’s absolutely incorrect.
Having good posture benefits almost every large movement muscle on the body and can be especially positive for someone who works a job or does activities that require them to do a lot of standing.
Some of the ways of having good posture are helpful for the whole body to include:
- Better balance: You have a better chance at centering your weight over your feet.
- Less shoulder strain: When your posture is bad, you’re likely to have your shoulders pushed forward.
- Ease of activity: With better posture over time, you can find activities easier to do.
- Fewer injuries: When everything is aligned the way it should be, there’s less chance of injury due to the person having better form, especially in sports.
Setting Up for Success
The best way to set yourself up for success with your posture is to start being aware of how you stand throughout the day.
Slouching is the No. 1 issue when it comes to standing up. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing—a slight slouch can help you take a break from standing and relax for a few seconds. But it can’t be something that goes on all the time.
When you find yourself slouching, follow these tips:
- Lift your shoulders up, and then push them down and back.
- Position your head directly over the center of your neck.
- Put your weight on the balls of your feet.
- Bend your knees slightly.
All of these tips put together will allow you to have the most natural alignment for your body without feeling too uncomfortable.
Practice Makes Perfect
Unfortunately, not everyone catches onto a habit as quickly as others do. You may hear it only takes 21 days, but if you’ve been slouching into bad posture your entire life, it could take your brain some time to understand this is the new normal.
One way to make things easier for yourself is to do mirror checks on yourself for your posture. Anytime you walk by something reflective that allows a full view of your stance, see if you’re holding the best posture. If not, fix it.
You also could consider regularly stretching your muscles to sit more comfortably. Another option is exercising your ab muscles so they can support your spine and surrounding muscles better.
Even when you sit down to break during the day, make sure you’re still keeping everything aligned to the best of your ability. All of these actions will pay off over time if you put your mind to it.
Need Some Extra Help?
There’s never been anything wrong with needing a little help to get where you want to go. And sometimes a professional is the best answer to your problems.
At Stucky Chiropractic, we focus on each patient individually.
We’ll start by getting to know you and your lifestyle. That’s the main thing that will allow us to understand how your body moves throughout the day. From there, we’ll create a personalized plan with you that works with your schedule.
If you or someone you know is struggling with bad posture, schedule an appointment with the professionals at the Stucky Chiropractic today.