Bad posture while sitting is not uncommon, especially among office workers and those stationed behind a computer monitor for days on end. To achieve a healthy posture, it takes time and training. Ideally, the right posture is one that puts the least amount of strain on muscles and ligaments.
Think of posture like our body’s reaction to gravity. When we stand, our bodies are forced to hold upright. The muscles in our legs and back stabilize, and the strength we build in our posture is maintained over time every day without us even thinking about it. As we lie down in our beds, relaxation happens because our bodies no longer has to support itself against gravity. It has permission to relax.
Sitting is somewhere in between standing and lying down, and comes with a hefty amount of complications. When we sit, we oftentimes are sitting to speak with someone, be at a computer, eat, or alternatively, there’s something in front of us we are interested in. This causes us to lean over to see what’s in front of us. Over time, this sort of leaning and slouching can come with complications on our muscles, ligaments, bones, and nerves.
So we trace back to how to fix bad posture while sitting by first acknowledging what healthy posture accomplishes. Good posture will use your muscles properly, decrease wear and tear on the joints and ligaments, prevent the spine from becoming fixed in an abnormal position, prevent strain or overuse, minimize fatigue, and prevent backache and muscular pain.
Correct your posture by focusing on sitting with your back straight and shoulders back. Your buttocks should be touching the back of the chair. A comfort seat pillow or lumbar roll can help with this and maintaining the normal curves in the back. Ensure your weight is distributed evenly on both sides. Adjust your chair and desk height, if possible, so that you are sitting close to your work and so you’re titled up at it.
These tips on how to maintain good posture while sitting isn’t all you need to fix bad posture. Another key tip is to avoid sitting in the same position for more than 30 minutes. Our bodies are not built to be sitting for extended periods of time. By getting up and stretching your legs every 30 minutes to an hour, or simply by adjusting your position, you relieve any stress that’s built up in muscles, joints, or ligaments.
Lierre.ca is a Canadian health and wellness brand committed to fixing bad posture while sitting, and providing our customers with the products they need to be productive, engaged, and to perform to the best of their abilities. Shop with us today.