If you have had bad posture for too long, you may have forgotten what good posture looks or feels like. In perfect standing posture, the following all align:
the points between your eyes, chin, collarbone, breastbone, pubic area, and the midpoint between your ankles. From the side, you can easily see the three curves of your spine. From the front, your shoulders, hips, and knees should form a vertical line and your head should be straight, not bent forward or tilted to one side. Obviously, no one spends the entire day in this position, but if you naturally assume this relaxed standing position, you will carry yourself in a more balanced way and reduce stress in your activities. Good posture will also make you feel more alive and confident.
To improve your standing posture, hold your head high. Keep your shoulders back, chest out, and stomach tucked in to increase your balance. By gently lifting your chest, your head and shoulders will come back into the proper position without straining the muscles of the neck and back. Sound posture will let you stand for longer periods without suffering low back or leg pain. (If you work as a clerk or a cashier, or your job requires you to stand all day, rest one foot on a stool or take breaks to get off your feet for awhile.)
Improper sitting posture can cause a vast array of injuries and pains. It typically features a rounded or humped upper back, forward head, and rounded lower back. This detrimental habit usually begins as early as adolescence.
Slouching while you sit can make the abdominal organs sag, causing crowding and forcing the heart and lungs to work harder. It can also limit your range of motion, breed pain in the lower back, lower lung capacity, cause nerve interference, and affect proper bowel function.
Its ramifications go far beyond looks. Poor posture impairs your overall health and well-being. In the long term it can harm a number of body systems. Slouching affects functions such as digestion, elimination, and breathing. Incorrect posture can also impact your muscles, ligaments, and joints.
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