better posture

Good Posture is Vital for a Long Healthy Life

Posted on by Kathryn Eyring

Naturally Healthy Posture

Pictures of toddlers demonstrate perfect posture. Look at children. They naturally sit, stand, bend, and reach in safe and healthy forms. As a child, YOU probably moved like this, too, hinging at the hips and NOT the upper spine!

children naturally have good posture
Children naturally hinge from their hips in a healthy manner.

Poor Lifestyle Habits = Poor Posture

Poor habits create an unhealthy spine
Poor habits create unhealthy posture that creates pain and limits lung capacity.

Improve YOUR Posture

The good news is YOU can change your habits to improve your posture.

SELF-TEST: Allow your arms to hang down like a plumb line. Do the arms fall considerably forward of the hips? That’s a problem.

If your arms fall forward of your hips, get help now. Find a Functional Aging Specialist or fitness instructor who understands the body of an aging adult and start daily exercises in front of a mirror. The mirror doesn’t lie. Exercise improves flexibility and strength and BOTH are vitally important for the active lifestyle you want to maintain!

Poor posture progressively worsens
REMEMBER: Bad posture progressively worsens.

Be Aware of Body Position

Keep an awareness of the relationship of your shoulders to your hips and bend from the hips, NOT the upper back.

Good Posture Creates a Healthy and Youthful Appearance

Culture influences movement
Posture is influenced by culture.

Be Mindful Throughout the Day

It’s easy to move mindlessly throughout the day. Movement habits have been ingrained for years. You can easily forget to pay attention, but you can train your spine. Be especially mindful when:

  • Eating meals
  • Watching TV
  • Reading
  • Working at a desk
  • Gardening
  • Driving
  • Cleaning

Please share your thoughts in the comments box below…

When you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, do you catch yourself slouching?

How did you do on the Self-Test?

What will you do to change posture habits today?

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15 thoughts on “Good Posture is Vital for a Long Healthy Life”

  1. Again I am convicted!! BUT, thanks to your advice, suggestions, and encouragement I have a new outlook and a new goal!
    Always grateful,
    Tina

  2. [Oh it is soo easy to bend in the wrong places. And soo hard to reverse. Thank heaven for mirrors and “tests”. I would wish for an exercise room like a good ballet room. One with mirrors!
    Oh well

  3. Merci pour ce bel article, dorénavant je m obligerai a penser de me tenir droit lorsque je marche ou assis au bureau.

  4. Ha, although I am often childish, I do not share the posture of children. I do stand and walk tall, but always slump while I sit. I’m feeling the effects of poor posture. It’s time for a change.

  6. gardening is the worst scenario for me. cannot seem to be able to work in a comfortable position that is not bad for the posture.

    1. Theresa, THANK YOU for this comment. Your problem with gardening is common yet there are specific ways to move in the garden that prevent pain. I’ll create a blog post on this soon with you in mind.

  7. Did good on self test. Have always tried to sit up straight. I guess that is how we were raised.
    Patricia Rodgers
    Team WOW Westlake

  8. When I’m walking I always have to think about my neck and head trying to keep it up. Your class is so good, I’ve never been so aware. Thanks!

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