Momma Knows Best
Time for a posture check! Yes, you right now. Before you move a muscle take inventory of how you’re sitting, standing or leaning at this very moment.
The second you brought your attention to your posture, did you immediately feel your spine lengthen? In celebration of mom’s weekend visit to NYC and on behalf of mother’s everywhere, I’d like to see you stand up tall. Pull your shoulders back and draw your navel in towards your spine.
Below are a few tips from the Mayo Clinic on good sitting posture:
- Choose a chair that allows you to rest both feet flat on the floor, while keeping your knees level with your hips. If necessary, prop your feet with a foot stool or other support.
- Sit with your back firmly against the chair. If necessary, place a small cushion or rolled towel behind the curve of your lower back.
- Stretch the top of your head toward the ceiling, and tuck your chin in slightly.
- Keep your upper back and neck comfortably straight.
- Keep your shoulders relaxed — not elevated, rounded or pulled backward.
The majority of all musculoskeletal injuries I see in my clients are caused by posture issues. A cocktail consisting of proper work station set-up, stretching and core muscle training will relieve many low back and shoulder issues.
Let me get you started on making mom proud with the tips below:
- First, use this checklist to find out if your work station is set-up properly. Then spread the love by helping your favorite co-worker out by evaluating their work station.
- Next, while sitting at your perfectly ergonomic work station squeeze your shoulder blades together without raising your shoulders. Hold that position for 5 seconds, then repeat 5x.
- Lastly, get up and take a few laps around the office or take the stairs to the next floor up to fill up your water bottle.
While these tips are not earth shattering or new, I find that I have to constantly work on perfecting my posture. For some reason it just doesn’t come naturally to me.
Do any of you experience the achey muscles that are associated with bad posture? What are your favorite tricks for sitting/standing up tall?
Yikess! I slouch! Thanks for the reminder!
Interesting post! I definitely slouch. I try so hard not to, but alas, I find myself doing it anyways….good reminder!
I never thought about how you sit at a desk until my fiance started his job. His work has someone who makes sure your desk fits you (and he’s 6’3″, so fitting him involved getting a different desk and chair). I’d guess they do it to save on it messing up people’s bodies and then in the long run costing the company in health insurance…. I know it made the fiance happy to actually have a desk he could sit properly at!