Sitting and standing up straight is more than simply something your parents told you to do! Among many things, good posture promotes good spine health and can help you burn up to 350 calories a day.

Read on as our AFC Urgent Care Southcenter team further highlights the importance of good posture below.

What Is Good Posture?

Good posture is the proper alignment of your body when standing or sitting. To have good posture means that you need to make sure that you are holding yourself in a way that puts the least strain on your back, no matter what you’re doing.

Good posture is important because it promotes good spine health, promotes healthy blood flow and will dramatically reduce your risk of developing arthritis and spine/back problems later in life. While slumping is obviously more comfortable at times, making a habit of always being hunched over isn’t good for your health.

Negative Effects of Poor Posture

• Spine curvature
• Back pain
• Increased neck and headaches
• Poor sleep and sleep disruptions
• Disrupted digestive system

Are There Ways to Improve My Posture?

Definitely! You can improve your posture with a few simple exercises. Balance-specific exercises, such as yoga and tai chi, are especially effective in addressing posture and balance problems.

Another way to improve your posture is by doing quick posture checks in the mirror. We’ve listed a few additional, simple ways to improve your posture below.

More Ways to Improve Posture

• Stay active. Any kind of exercise can help improve your posture, but certain types of exercises can be especially helpful. These exercises include yoga, tai chi and other routines that centrally focus on body awareness.
• Maintain a healthy weight. In addition to hurting your posture, extra weight can weaken your abdominal muscles, cause problems for your pelvis and spine and contribute to low back pain.
• Make sure work surfaces are at a comfortable height. If you typically sit at a desk that’s too high or low for you, it can negatively affect your posture and spine.

If you begin experiencing lower back pain or other posture-related pain, don’t hesitate to stop by AFC Urgent Care Southcenter to get the medical care that you need!