Introduction

Nearly 50% of the world population will, somewhere in their life, suffer from bad posture and endure at least once in their lifetime, as per research. 

In our whole lifetime, maybe there are very few of us who have not heard ‘Sit straight’ in our schools from our teachers, when we were in school. But now, when we are adults and some of us are ourselves parents, we know how ‘bad posture’ can disrupt our life movement, if not treated at the right time. Here in this blog, let’s delve into what bad posture is, how bad posture can affect our lifestyle and what measures can we take to correct bad posture.

What is bad posture?

We are in a time where sitting for long hours- whether in office or at our workplace, have become the norm. Unfortunately this lifestyle brings a bad companion along with it- bad posture. Most of us ignore it, but in the long run, this can create a big impact on our health. 

A bad posture in the simplest term means ‘how you hold your body’. It can be in the static position or in the dynamic position. A bad posture typically happens when the body’s alignment is completely off. It means that when the muscles, spine and the joints are not in their natural position. Some common bad postures include-

• Slouching over our phones
• Hunching at our desks
• Sitting cross-legged in our couches
• Leaning to one side while standing
• Rounded upper back from constant computer use

These postures seem powerless but in the long term, they are enough to harm our health.

Effects of bad posture on our body

Poor posture can seem harmless initially and not give any symptoms in our body, but prolonged poor posture becomes serious over time and produces long term ailment. Below mentioned, are few of the results, poor posture have on our body in the long run.

1. Back and Neck Pain- Slouching for a long period of time, can put pressure on the spine. If this position remains for a long time, then it can cause sore muscles, stiffness and intense muscle pain.
   
2. Reduced lung capacity- Yes, this is true. Lung capacity can be hindered if you have a bad posture. A rounded back position contracts the chest cavity, making it harder for the lungs to fully expand. This situation in turn causes shallow breathing and in the long run can affect energy.
   
3. Poor digestion- While your slouched position compresses your abdominal organs and hinders digestion causing acidity and bloating.
4. Headache and fatigue- Bad posture strains the neck and pain muscles leading to tension headache. Since your body works hard to maintain body balance, it can        make us tired all the time. 
5. Poor confidence and mood swings- Do you know that sometimes bad posture affects us emotionally. While standing and sitting straight, can boost your confidence and give positivity, slouching or leaning i.e. bad posture can cause stress, emotional back log and mood swings.

     

                                          Table of Myths and facts about Postures

Ways of improving our posture

While posture seems a very insignificant part of our daily life, it indeed holds a very important part for our life. We don’t have to be harsh on ourselves, but slow and steady steps can create little difference in your life. Few ways of improving our posture are as follows:-

• Make it a point to walk or move every 40-45 minutes. Stand, stretch or bend
• The core should be very much sturdy as it is the best way to have a strong core.
• Furniture should be very mindfully and wisely chosen. Some chairs are good for our sitting posture or some desks are there which can match up to your eye level and can create posture correction in the long run.
• Avoid crossing legs for longer period of time
• Take frequent breaks in between work
• Tech should be mindfully used. Use your phone at the eye level to develop a low posture.
• Holistic and natural medications like Bhargava Phytolab’s Spondin, can be of much use. For the last 34 years, this name has been synonymous with neck, back and cervical pain relief from the roots and that too without any side effects. With every drop, every dose it brings hope to millions of patients all over the world.  

Final words

It’s all about feeling good and not only about looking good. So every small decision we make, every small movement we do, adds up and with time it shows. By understanding what poor posture is, causes of poor posture, effects of poor posture and how to take corrective measures, we can protect ourselves and maintain our overall well-being.

FAQ’S

What are the health risks of poor posture?

       A:  Physical pain, fatigue, joint pain, digestive issues or increased risk of injury are some of the health risks.

How can I improve my posture while sitting on the desk?

     A: By making an ergonomic set-up, like positioning our desk within our eye-level, moving after a few hours, keeping elbows close are few of the techniques.

What exercises can help correct our posture?

     A:  Chin tucks, wall angles, planks and doorway stretches are few of the exercises that can help correct our posture.

   

How long can it take to correct the posture?

     A: Correcting the posture is not a day’s task but a gradual process which takes around 4 weeks minimum to see the change or correct the posture.

What is a good posture?    

        A: Good posture is the balanced position of our body that aligns your head, shoulders, spine and hip and aligns our muscles to work perfectly.