Do you have a distinct memory of being told to stand up straight, pull your shoulders back, keep your chin up, or a million other things related to your posture? There’s a reason our parents and grandparents called attention to good posture. They knew that someday the little things we did, like walking with our head down, slouching, and rounding our shoulders could take a toll on our overall health.
While you may no longer receive prompts or reminders to stand up straight, it is important and it matters. It’s never too late to change or improve, and there are exercises and other movements that can help you improve.
Why Does Posture Matter?
According to Harvard Health, adults should be mindful of their posture for several reasons. Proper form while exercising not only improves the effectiveness of your workout but also reduces your risk of injury. The benefits of good posture in adults also include:
- Increased range of motion
- Increased mobility as you age
- Fewer debilitating skeletal issues as you age
- A reduction in lower back pain
- Less shoulder and neck tension
- Improved lung capacity
- An increase in core strength
- Improved self-confidence
Most people assume that good posture is something they only have to worry about if they want to look good or if they want to excel in sports. Many of us don’t realize that some serious health issues have been linked to poor posture. Better Health put together a list of health issues that have been connected to poor posture in adults, including:
- Chronic back pain
- Spinal dysfunction
- Joint degeneration
Are you prone to frequent and intense headaches that feel like they originate in the back of your neck and send occasional spikes of pain into your forehead? According to NHS UK, poor posture could be to blame.
Central California Surgery has drawn a link between poor posture and digestive issues. They have observed that people who eat in a hunched-over position tend to experience frequent bouts of constipation, bloating, and acid reflux.
Exercises To Improve
It’s never too late to improve your overall health. Several exercises can help.
Sworkit’s Pilates to Improve Posture is an excellent starting spot. These exercises are simple; they don’t require any special equipment, and you’ll notice results almost immediately. The Pilates to Improve Posture workout includes:
- Cat and Cow sequence
- Knee to Chest Stretch
- Inner Thigh Lifts
- The Swan
- Kneeling Circles
Sworkit’s Improve Your Posture workout is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. In addition, you’ll also notice that your flexibility steadily improves after you make this workout a regular part of your life. The exercises that are a part of the Improve Your workout routine include:
- Lying Sculptor rows
- Chest Expander
- Superman
- Lying Back Extension
- Cobra Wings
Last but not least, you should check out Sworkit’s Hip and Core for Better Posture Routine. This is another excellent workout that doesn’t require any exercise equipment and is good for beginners. In addition, it also helps build strength. Some of the moves used during this routine include:
- Tree pose right and left
- Frog stretch
- Clam shells
- Bridge Pose
- Wall Angels
Get ready to stand taller and feel better overall. Now is the perfect time to incorporate exercise into your daily routine to help improve overall functionality.
If you dedicate a month to workouts that improve your posture, by the end of the month, you’ll notice that you’re standing taller and feel better overall.
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