With the summer holidays soon upon us the desire to hone that perfect beach body becomes an increasing priority. So, you will be pleased to hear there is a sure and safe way to look slimmer and it doesn’t involve any fad dieting. All you need to do is stand up straight! Good posture makes you look taller and slimmer. Perfect posture can improve confidence as well as providing health benefits, such as preventing aches and pains to back, neck, hips and knees.
Having perfect posture can also help with weight loss. It strengthens your core and adds a small extra-calorie burn because you are working that bit harder to maintain the position. Standing up straight on a regular basis will help to build core muscles in the abdomen and back. And after a while the muscles will build to such an extent that standing up straight will become natural. Additionally, standing up helps bodies breathe better. Better breathing helps to stimulate the metabolism and so we are able to burn calories faster.
There are even more benefits to perfecting your posture, not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. We have already discussed how good posture can improve breathing and reduce aches and pains. It also improves circulation and can prevent repetitive strain injuries.Teaching the body negative patterns of muscle use, takes up more energy, resulting in fatigue and low-grade pain. So it stands to reason that improving posture can increase energy levels and reduce pain.
Posture check
So how can you tell if your posture could be improved? The best way is to do a posture check.
1. Take off your shoes and find a flat expanse of wall.
2. With your back to the wall, press your heels and bum against it.
3. Slide one of your hands between the wall and your low back.
The space should only be about the width of your hand, anything much bigger and you know there’s a problem with over curvature. Too much curve in the low back will pull your head forward and round your shoulders. This posture looks unattractive and can lead to a variety of physical strains and pains throughout the body. If the curve in your lower back is too small, your hamstrings and lower back can tighten and pull your spine out of alignment. A healthy spine has an inward curve at the lower back, an outward curve at the shoulder blades and in again at the neck.
Practical Posture Improvements to Help You Achieve Perfect Posture
Improving posture is something we can all start to do immediately. Little changes throughout the day to pelvis, legs and feet will provide a great foundation for better posture. Here are some immediate changes that can be made to the way you sit, stand and move:
Sitting
- Sit with uncrossed legs and feet flat on the floor.
- Adjust chair height so hips are slightly higher than knees, to redistribute weight between feet, thighs, hips and lower back.
- Relax and open shoulder muscles and hold abdominal muscles firm.
- Your head and neck should be in line with the spine.
- If you’re using keyboards and monitors, have them straight in front of you with screens at eye level.
Standing
- Stand with your weight distributed evenly between and across your feet. If you need to, bring your body weight forward so you aren’t balanced on your heels.
- Keep your knees slightly bent. If your knees are locked, they can tip the pelvis forward and squeeze the lower lumbar area of the back.
- Pull you belly button towards your spine to form a strong core for stability, shoulders should be relaxed not hunched.
- Keep your head and neck in line with shoulders and your chin parallel to the floor.
You may have taught your muscles bad habits, so practice making these minor adjustments every day, checking yourself periodically to make sure you are aligned. You could make a big difference to your health and well being – and feel more body confident on that beach!
If you would like more help with achieving and sustaining perfect posture, take a look at our Posture Workshop. This fun and interactive workshop teaches techniques you can use on a daily basis to help prevent injury and improve posture. Following a posture analysis, you’ll learn simple and effective stretching and strengthening exercises that reduce the strain on over-worked and tired muscles.
