Tips for Maintaining Good Posture

Written By Tracy & Keim Chiropractic LLC on March 9, 2023

All of us want to have good posture. In addition to physical health benefits, like reducing pain and back problems, good posture can have a positive effect on your psychological well-being, like boosting mood and increasing your ability to focus and learn. You probably know what good posture looks like—you might even have practiced in front of the mirror to figure out what it feels like in your body. (If you haven’t, this can be a good exercise to do. Stand tall with your feet shoulder width apart, bearing most of your weight on the balls of your feet, and making sure your knees aren’t locked. Let your hands relax by your sides. Adjust your spine so that it follows a natural curve, tucking your stomach in and pulling your shoulders back slightly. Keep your head level. Feels pretty good, doesn’t it?)

Once you’re familiar with what good posture looks and feels like for your body, you’ll want to maintain that good posture so that it’s normal and comfortable to carry yourself in a safe, healthy way. Here are our tips for maintaining good posture so you can reap the holistic health benefits on a daily basis.

Be Mindful of Your Posture

One of the simplest things you can do to maintain good posture is simply to be mindful of how you are holding your body during everyday activities. Good posture is important whether you’re active (walking, lifting an item, or bending over to tie your shoes) or still (watching TV, standing in line, or working at the computer).

As you work on your posture, sometimes all you need is a reminder to adjust your body to a better position. If you tend to forget how you’re holding yourself, it may help to set a timer to go off at regular intervals throughout the day, reminding you to do a quick posture check and bring awareness back to your body.

Stay Active

Good posture is easier to maintain when your muscles are strong and when you’re engaging in frequentmovement. (Even good posture, if it’s static and held for too long, can become uncomfortable). Most types of physical activity, as long as they’re engaged in safely, are likely to help with posture. However, certain types of exercise aimed at balance and mindful movement (such as yoga or tai chi) may be especially beneficial. Exercises that focus on strengthening your core (the muscles around your back, abdomen, and pelvis) are also a good thing to incorporate if you’re working on maintaining good posture.

And Take Time to Relax

Good posture isn’t tense or rigid. As you strengthen the muscles in your core and become more used to safe and healthy ways of carrying your body, you will find yourself feeling more comfortable with good posture. But maintaining good posture isn’t just about strength. You may also benefit from a quick relaxation session each day. Just lie flat on your back on the ground for a couple of minutes and completely relax your body. This can help your body readjust to a natural position and correct slight posture problems before they turn into larger issues.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Extra weight makes it harder for your muscles to provide enough support to your back, abdomen, and pelvis—areas that are crucial for good posture. By losing weight if you need to, or by maintaining a healthy weight if you’re already at your goal, you make it much easier and more comfortable to carry yourself properly.

Wear Supportive Shoes

Supportive shoes can be an investment, but most of the time they don’t have to be. Any sturdy pair of athletic shoes can help provide stability and keep your center of gravity where it should be. If athletic shoes aren’t your thing, you can still choose other shoe styles that give you some back support. Choose shoes that fit well and have a sturdy sole, avoid heels, and opt for ankle straps if you’re wearing sandals. For more on shoes and your spine, check out this blog post.

Adjust Work Surfaces

Even slight strain on your spine while you’re bending over a too-low countertop or leaning forward to get a clear view of your computer screen can cause back pain and poor posture. While not all work surfaces are adjustable, it’s usually possible to create workarounds that will help you protect your spine and maintain good posture. For example, moving your computer closer or raising it a couple of inches can help you achieve a healthy and comfortable seated posture so you can minimize back pain at work.

See Your Chiropractor for Regular Alignments

If you want to maintain good posture, a great way to make it easier on yourself is to see your chiropractor for regular alignments. You may not recognize the slight compensations your body makes each day to help you move and function—especially when your physical environment isn’t ideal. Working at someone else’s desk for a couple of days, limping slightly because of a blister on your foot, or carrying a heavy bag of shopping into the house can cause your body to overcompensate in one area or another, resulting in spinal misalignments or muscle strain that can become problematic if not promptly treated. Set up a regular time to visit your chiropractor so your back gets the care it needs. (Here’s more on how often you should see a chiropractor.) If your spine is going to support you, you need to support your spine!

Developing and keeping good posture may take some conscious effort, but it’s well worth it. With these simple tips you’ll find it easier to maintain the work you’ve put into achieving good posture so you canlook good and feel great every day. If you need more tips or want to get started with chiropractic treatment please get in touch. We’d love to help!