Did you know May was National Correct Posture Month? Who knew? Chiropractors, I bet. They know everything…kinda…
To be honest, I didn’t think about my posture all that much until BackJoy contacted me and asked if I’d like to be part of their #PosturePledge celebration. Suddenly I got to thinking. Do I have good posture? I sit at my desk most of the day slumped over a computer screen. I hunch forward, shoulders rounded. “It’sa no gooda,” as my Italian Grandmother would say. Just kidding. I don’t have an Italian Grandmother. But if I did, she’d make some kick-ass spaghetti. I digress…
Poor posture can zap your energy, create back pain and neck tension, decrease focus, and can even lead to problems with digestion – definitely don’t need more digestive issues. Good posture, on the other hand, can boost your energy and range of motion – which can make you more flexible, prevent pain and injury, reduce stress levels, and help you get stronger. Plus, you’ll look and feel more confident!
So how does one fix their posture? I’m glad you asked because that leads me to today’s Friday Five, a weekly link up with Cynthia, Mar, & Courtney. There’s no theme this week, so I’m chatting:
- Improve sitting posture at work. – This is the one I really need to focus on. Find a comfortable chair and raise it to a level where your knees are at 90 degrees. Your computer monitor should be level with your eyes so you aren’t looking down. Keep your head and shoulders back, your hips upright, and get up and walk around at least once every hour. I’m going to be getting a little help with this from BackJoy’s SitSmart Posture Plus, a sitting device that naturally relieves back pain by optimizing your sitting posture. (Keep reading to find out how you can get one, too!).
- Sleep on your side or back instead of your stomach. – I try to fall asleep on my back, but tend to flop over during the night. BackJoy suggests finding a pillow that preserves the curve of your neck and placing a small pillow under your back, as well. If you’re on your side, keep your spine parallel to the bed and place a small pillow between your knees.
- Be conscious of “technology posture” and “text neck”. – I’m totally guilty of this. We are a culture hooked to technology, especially us bloggers. We slouch over computer screens and are constantly on our phones tweeting, texting, and instagraming. To correct our posture, we should keep devices at head height and try not to bend our necks down toward them.
(Source)
- Incorporate core exercises into your workout routine. – Both ab and back exercises will help you create a strong core. The stronger your muscles, the better they will be able to hold you up! 6-pack abs here we come! Here are some good core moves to get you started.
- Stretch. – Pilates, yoga, swimming, foam rollers, or other self-massage devices are all good options. Focus on stretches that lengthen the chest, biceps, and hip flexors in the front of your body, and them move on to some back stretches. Another reason to get my yoga on! Ommmm.
Take all of this one step further by taking the #PosturePledge on Facebook. The first 500 people to pledge will receive a FREE SitSmart Posture Plus and all will be entered to win the grand prize: one pair of BackJoy StandRight Bliss shoes, one SleepSound pillow, and one PostureWear Elite shirt.
Are you guilty of some of these posture faux pas? How will you pledge to correct them?
NOTE: This post is sponsored by BackJoy. I am being compensated with free product in exchange for helping them promote the #PosturePledge celebration. That said, I would never support a brand or project I don’t believe in. Good posture for the win!
