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Having good posture is not only important for physical health, but it promotes mental health too.
For instance, a 2014 Healthy Living article published by Medical Daily shares that the way a person stands, sits, and walks has the ability to increase their feelings of power, improve their mood, bolster their confidence, and even boost their memory.
That’s why it’s critical to practice proper posture at all ages. That’s also why the entire month of May has been dedicated to this ever-important topic.
So, whether you’re a child or teen who could benefit from having more confidence in school and other peer-related environments, a young or middle-aged adult who’d benefit from greater feelings of power and control in your career, or you’ve finally made it to retirement and want to protect your memory at this stage in the game, your physical stance can positively affect all of these areas—and times—in your life.
Children and teens
The sooner in life good posture is practiced, the sooner it becomes habit. This turns it into an action that is automatically taken, not something that requires a lot of conscious effort in order to achieve, protecting your physical and mental health for decades to come.
According to the Women’s and Children’s Health Network, you can help the young people in your life improve their posture by offering these basic tips:
- When walking, have them imagine that they have a pile of books on their head to help them keep their head facing forward, shoulders back, and stomach tucked in.
- When sitting at the computer to do homework or chat on social media, stop them from leaning forward by having them press their back against the chair. Also, remind them to pay attention to their shoulders, keeping them relaxed so they’re not hunched up by their ears.
- When lying down or sleeping, ask them to use a pillow to better support their head and neck and instead of lying on their stomach or back, they should opt for lying on their side (with their knees bent)
The key to getting kids to engage in proper spinal structure is to “make it fun” says Washington Post fitness columnists Vicky Hallett and Lenny Bernstein. This means encouraging them to exercise, even if it’s by getting them involved in video games that require physical activity.
Another option is to teach them to take regular stretch breaks to elongate their spine or to purchase them a stability ball to use as a chair when engaged in sit-down activities.
Young to middle-aged adults
Although the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) warns that “long-standing postural problems will typically take longer to address than short-lived ones, as often the joints have adapted to your long-standing poor posture,” correcting postural habits as a young to middle-aged adult is still possible. It just takes a little more effort, but the positive effects are more than worth the payoff.
The United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that this age group (which can be best defined as those 25 to 54 years of age) represents the highest number of those currently employed (83 percent, which compares to just over 66 percent of those aged 16 to 24 and 30.1 percent of those 55 and older). That makes practicing proper posture at work especially important for individuals in this particular range.
Therefore, if you’re between 25 and 54 and have a desk job that requires you to sit for long periods of time, it helps to take frequent breaks. Get up and walk around, relieving the stress on your spine. If you can’t leave your work area, at least get up and do some stretches such as the Brugger band exercise, an overhead shoulder stretch or shoulder shrug.
And if your job is more physical in nature, requiring you to lift a lot, use your legs versus your back by squatting down to pick the items up. Additionally, ask for help with heavier items and, if possible, keep from lifting them above shoulder level.
Older adults and seniors
Part of obtaining and maintaining good posture in life’s later years involves actively engaging in exercises meant to promote proper stance. This can help improve balance, one of the top concerns among individuals in this age range.
It doesn’t take long to see benefits either. One study published in the International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology found that three months of training just three times a week was enough to provide participants with “a significant improvement in balance.”
The good news (if you’re not big on starting a new exercise program in your later years) is that the exercises don’t have to be high impact. Some of the suggestions offered by Elder Gym include arm ups, spine extensions, shoulder circles, and a “chin tuck and jut” movement, all of which are fairly easy on the body. Plus, while these movements can help improve posture, they are also beneficial when it comes to increasing flexibility and strengthening muscle tone.
“Studies confirm posture has a huge effect on your health, appearance and attitude. As more people develop a permanent slump from sitting in front of a computer, posture is gaining new recognition as a growing health problem,” explains Steven Weiniger, DC and postured-focused professional. “We promote the ACE model of strong posture: Awareness, Control and Environment. Awareness helps people recognize how strong or weak their posture is currently. Control means taking steps to improve and maintain your posture. Environment is about optimizing your physical environment, and looking at what you do to your posture at work, play, and while sleeping.”
The best way to celebrate National Posture Month is to practice good posture yourself no matter what age group you’re in. Expanding on the purpose of Posture Awareness Month, a host of information on promoting good posture with small changes at home, work and play, and specific activities to improve posture and balance will be available year-round from participating professionals and PostureMonth.org.
Professionals and the general public are encouraged to view the website to learn more on the subject.
About Performance Health
Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, Performance Health is a global consumer branded health, wellness and self-care company that designs, manufactures and markets branded rehabilitation and wellness products sold into a variety of U.S. clinical markets, leading national retailers and in over 100 countries through a multi-national network of distribution partners. Its’ brands and complementary product offerings consist of the TheraBand®, Biofreeze®, Cramer®, Active Ankle®, Bon Vital’®, Thera°Pearl® and Perform® brand names.