Good posture. Yes, it means looking better in photos and feeling more confident, but on a deeper level, it’s incredibly important for your health. According to the American Chiropractic Association, good posture:
- Helps us keep bones and joints in correct alignment so that our muscles are used correctly, decreasing the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that could result in degenerative arthritis and joint pain.
- Reduces the stress on the ligaments holding the spinal joints together, minimizing the likelihood of injury.
- Allows muscles to work more efficiently, allowing the body to use less energy and, therefore, preventing muscle fatigue.
- Helps prevent muscle strain, overuse disorders and even back and muscular pain.
- Can make you happier. According to a study published in the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, patients with mild to moderate depression felt more alert (and less anxious) after simply keeping their back and shoulders upright while sitting. Another study published in the journal Biofeedbackfound that participants who slouched while walking felt more depressed. When they shifted to a more upright position, their energy levels increased.
But now, in the midst of COVID-19, many people are working from home in makeshift offices without actual ergonomic desk chairs or laptop stands. But luckily, there are lots of ways to ensure your posture doesn’t go to hell while you’re away from your normal office set up. Listen up, WFH folks.