For many of us, bad posture is something we have without even realizing it. We sit and stand in whatever position is comfortable at the time, not thinking about whether or not it’s the correct way. Unfortunately, bad posture doesn’t only look bad, it can lead to some health problems. As a parent, you need all of the energy you can get to keep up with your kids, and bad posture might be sucking yours away.
By looking out for the four signs of bad posture below, you can get some of your energy back, improve your quality of life, and even help out your kids.
Neck and Back Pain
One of the more common signs of bad posture is pain in your neck and back. You may experience a stick back throughout the day, trouble moving, or sharp pains within your neck. According to AICA Orthopedics,“The large weight of the head is precisely balanced over the delicate bones of the neck and spine area and, with your head weighing about the same as a bowling ball, even a single erratic movement can cause problems for your body.”
Not only can erratic movements harm your body, but a prolonged stay in an awkward position can do the same. No one likes to deal with neck and back pain, so if you’ve been experiencing this, you’ll want to start correcting the bad behavior sooner rather than later.
If you have experienced pain in the extremities such as the feet or hands, it may be an indication of neuropathy. Neuropathy affecting the feet is known as peripheral neuropathy. It is the result of nerve damage, can sometimes be associated with diabetes as well as cancer treatments, and can cause a number of painful symptoms. Insoles for neuropathy can help to ease these symptoms.
Headaches
As the muscles and nerves in your neck become strained, it can lead to headaches. If you find that you’re often getting headaches after sitting at your desk for a while, you may want to consider your posture. While it’s possible that the headache is from eye strain, it’s also possible that you are sitting in a slouched or leaned-over position for too long, causing your muscles to strain. Rather than continuing to take pain medications, a simple change in your posture could do the trick.
Muscle Fatigue
Do your muscles feel tired all of the time? Does it require extra effort to lift your arms or move your legs, even though you haven’t exercised them recently? The answer might be muscle fatigue due to poor posture. If you’re on your feet all day, for example, and standing with poor posture, it requires your muscles to do extra work. Now, even though you’ve only been standing, your legs are more tired. If this goes on every day, your muscles are going to become worn out. By taking the time to correct your posture now, and build up the right muscles, you can relieve this fatigue going forward.
Trouble Sleeping
Finally, if you’ve been having trouble sleeping lately, the cause might be your posture during the day. When you stand or sit with bad posture, you’re making your muscles stiff and causing pain. Now, when you try to sleep at night, you’re experiencing pain in your lower back, in your neck, and in other locations. Even if you’re not consciously aware of it, you may be tossing and turning all night trying to get into a comfortable position, because your body keeps experiencing pain.
To determine if your poor posture is the cause of your sleepless nights, try to rule out other causes. Are you staring at your phone too much before bed? Is your diet high in sugar? Are you giving yourself enough hours at night for complete rest? If none of the other causes fit, consider your posture next.
Correcting Bad Posture
To get rid of the problems above, you just need to fix your posture. This is easy to do, but it’s going to take some time. Our bodies will naturally fall back into a comfortable position, and you have to remind yourself to stay in the proper position.
When you’re standing, make sure the weight of your body is evenly distributed between your two feet. You want your shoulders back, and your spine straight, so that your shoulders are not rolling forward.
At a desk, make sure your feet are flat on the ground, and that your back is supported by the chair. If you’re working on a computer, make sure the monitor is at a comfortable height and distance, so that you don’t have to strain to see it.
Finally, exercise can help to improve your posture, and eliminate some of the pain associated with it. Make sure you’re exercising regularly, and that you’re working on correct posture when you do.
For a complete guide on how to properly stand, sit, and lie, try this link.
Watch for Signs of Bad Posture
The best thing you can do is be on the lookout for signs of bad posture, both in yourself and in your kids. That way, when you notice them, you can remind yourself to work on your posture and eliminate the problems. Not only will this make your own life more enjoyable, but it will instill healthy habits within your kids.