Straighten Up!

Posture. We would venture to guess upon reading that one word you sat up a little taller.

It’s a good thing you did, too. Research has linked bad posture to more than subtle aches and pains.

In a study published by the European Journal of Social Psychology, researchers instructed students to either “sit up straight,” “push out their chest” or “sit slouched forward” while rating their personality traits. Those sitting upright were confident in the traits they wrote down, while those in less posture-perfect positions were not convinced that what they wrote was accurate. In short, sitting in an upright, powerful position makes it easier to have empowering thoughts. Kiss the kink in your neck good-bye and exude confidence! Here are six tricks to stand tall for May’s Correct Posture Month.

“I FORGOT.” If your slouch story begins with these two words, you’re in luck. If you need help remembering to keep your posture, think of a unique color or object. Every time you think of the object or pass by something pink, check your posture. Want to go a step further? Tack a sticky note reminder on your laptop or other places you often find yourself hunched over.

GET A STANDING DESK. My, how the tables have... gotten taller? Our bodies are designed for movement, not for sitting for long periods of time. Your goal is more movement to pump blood and enhance your circulation. Can’t stand at work? Get up and move every hour.

EXTRA SUPPORT. Use wedges—and we aren’t talking about the shoes. In fact, it’s probably smart to ditch the heels altogether. The use of support pillows and posture wedges, however, will help maintain a normal spinal curve when sitting, decreasing posture stress.

CHIRO“PRACTICAL” ADVICE. Have a chiropractor use posture taping to help you see where your posture needs the most improvement. Don’t want to schedule a visit? Have someone tape a giant X on your back from one shoulder to the opposite hip. Put a straight line of tape across your shoulders closing the top of the X. Wear this throughout the day to help restrain your back. For the best results, hold your shoulders back comfortably before taping, using non-stretch tape. The idea is that you will feel the tape pull at your shoulders uncomfortably the second you start to slouch.

MOVE IT. One shoulder roll coming up! Roll your shoulders down and back; then pull your elbows back toward your bottom, and repeat as often as you would like. This allows your scapula (or shoulder blades) to position better during the times you consciously want to sit up straight, leading to better posture unconsciously.

DOWNSIZE. Wearing heavy backpacks and purses can be posture killers, especially if they are always worn on one shoulder in particular. Only pack what you need throughout the day. Ladies, we’re looking at you.