When it comes to having good posture, many of us are guilty of neglecting our duties. But it turns out that putting in the effort to improve your posture can have a number of enormous benefits. Good posture means having a neutral spine, where the muscles around the spine are equally balanced and able to support the body without stress or strain.
Unless you work as a jockey, dancer, or full-time model, the chances are that your posture could do with a few corrections. Read on to find out how these corrections can benefit you and improve your life.
Increased production
If you have to power through a long list of tasks, how you’re sitting could play a huge role in how quickly you get them done. Sitting properly not only puts the body into a “power pose” but also allows the lungs to fully fill up with air, which boosts oxygen in the bloodstream and helps your brain to work faster. So, the next time you have a huge pile of work to get through, try sitting properly to help you work more efficiently.
Less discomfort
By ensuring that muscles and bones are in the correct alignment, it is possible to reduce discomfort and aches in the spine and joints. This is because correct alignment reduces the amount of abnormal wear on joint surfaces, which can lead to conditions such as degenerative arthritis. Maintaining a good posture allows the body to work much more efficiently, reducing strain and alleviating muscle fatigue.
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Improves confidence
Posture can have a number of great impacts on the body, but it can also provide benefits for the mind as well. Studies show that holding the correct posture increases confidence and enhances feelings of well-being. This is because good posture actually helps to generate positive thoughts in the brain.
One study showed that people who sat up straight and corrected their posture regularly were more likely to believe thoughts they had written about themselves regarding their qualifications and suitability for a job. Conversely, the participants who slumped over weren’t convinced by the things they had written about themselves, and had much less confidence overall.
Boosts circulation
Sitting at a desk or in a car for prolonged periods causes muscle fatigue. This is because it puts the body into an unnatural posture, which causes the blood vessels responsible for carrying blood to the muscles to compress. When this happens, the body is put at risk of conditions such as deep vein thrombosis.
To avoid this, get up to move around at least once an hour to get the blood pumping around your body. Avoid sitting with your legs crossed and always place your feet flat on the floor when you are sitting at a desk. If this is not possible, use a footrest.
Better performance
Research indicates that standing tall is actually the key to success. Good posture not only gives out the impression that you are in a position of power, but it also has a strong effect in making you think and act in a more powerful way. So, if you work from home or in an office, it’s super important to ensure that your workstation is correctly set up to avoid putting stress and strain on the back and neck.
Sitting with poor posture can create up to 90% more pressure on our backs than standing, so you should find a chair with good lumbar support to keep your spine aligned correctly.
Increased energy
Believe it or not, simply holding a good posture can actually increase your energy levels. Studies show that when people adopt “power poses” – poses that reflect confidence – it actually increases the amount of testosterone and lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the brain.
Testosterone is the hormone responsible for self-confidence, so when we stand in a power pose it sends a signal to the brain that says we’re feeling powerful. It also gives the body a boost of stamina, which is so useful when that dreaded 3 pm post-lunch slump happens.
It turns out your grandmother was right all along! Proper posture can not only prevent back pains and stress, but it can also increase productivity, self-confidence, energy levels, circulation, and performance.
