5 Tips To Improve Your Posture

Many of us now live increasingly sedentary lifestyles and spend a large proportion of our day either sitting at an office desk or travelling on some form of transportation. The experts at Kamalaya provide you with 5 tips to improve your posture, in your everyday life.

1. DRIVE SMARTER

Most cars are not designed for correct sitting posture, however many now offer a vast array of adjustments to both the seat and steering column, allowing for a better overall driving position. To find your ideal position you should start with the seat in the wrong position and then adjust it to a comfortable position from there. Avoid diverting your attention from the road, you should be aware of any tension you feel in your neck, arms and shoulders. If you do feel any unnecessary tension in your muscles you should try to relax and find a comfortable, neutral driving posture. If you enjoy cycling, check your driving position is set up correctly by adjusting the seat and handlebars on a bicycle for a more comfortable ride.

2. WORK BETTER

Many of us now spend a lot of the day sitting at a desk or travelling. To improve your posture, ensure the ergonomics are as good as they can possibly be. Your hips should be pushed as far into your chair as possible, your feet flat on the floor and your armrest fitted so your shoulders are relaxed. Make a point of taking short regular breaks to stretch and walk around, as this allows blood to circulate more effectively around the body. If you do work from home, set up a designated working space rather than settling for the sofa or kitchen table.

3. HOLISTIC EXERCISE

Having good posture when exercising helps you to develop strength, flexibility, and balance in your body.  Adjusting your normal workout routine by allowing more time for stretching during the warm-up and cool-down phases can really help you develop a better posture. If unsure, ask a trained fitness professional to check if you are exercising your whole body in a balanced way. Try Pilates, Yoga, and swimming to increase your flexibility and to keep continue challenging your body.

4. WIND DOWN EFFICIENTLY

If your day has already been quite sedentary, try not to continue this routine by sinking into the sofa for the entire evening. Each night, before going to sleep, have a ritual that you do in the same order to signal to your body that it is time to sleep. Keep moving by completing some gentle stretching exercises, or use a foam roller to massage your muscles just before bed.

5. SLEEP WELL

A fundamental practice for maintaining a healthy alignment and posture is investing in a good quality pillow and mattress. If your bed simply isn’t comfortable, or you regularly wake up feeling agitated and unrested, it could be time for a change. Once you have purchased a good quality pillow and mattress, the most important thing to do to improve your sleep posture, is to choose positions that help keep your spine in alignment. If you tend to sleep on your side, place a pillow between your knees in order to keep your hips aligned. If you tend to sleep on your back, you can also place a pillow underneath your knees to make sure your back is in the optimal position.