GOT COMPUTER SLOUCH?
Over time, our connective tissue adapts to our daily work slouch. This can lead to lower back and neck pain among other nagging injuries. Also, this makes our slouch our natural posture. Scary!
Many of us spend more hours slumped over a keyboard or behind a steering wheel than we do in motion. Try these tips for sitting up straight and improving your posture, and more importantly - improving your performance and health.
SIT AS TALL AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN
Remind yourself every few minutes to sit up straight. This sounds obvious and simple, but you'll be surprised at how much you tend to slump when you're not thinking about your posture.
THE DAILY LUNGE
Stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart. Take a step forward with your left leg. Keeping your torso upright, bend your left knee and lower your body until your left knee is bent 90 degrees and your right knee touches the floor. Pause and steady yourself. Now drive your left heel into the floor and push yourself up and forward. As you're standing up, clench your fists tightly and squeeze your glutes together. Stand tall and hold the clench for 5 seconds. Then lunge forward with your right leg and repeat.
PULL YOUR SHOULDERS DOWN AND BACK
Imagine that you are trying to create as much space between your ears and shoulders as you can. While you are sitting, hold this position for a minute or so every few hours.
KEEP YOUR CHEST RAISED
Pretend there is a string attached from your chest to the ceiling, pulling your chest up at all times.
TIGHTEN THE CORE
Tighten your abdominals as if you are about to be punched in the stomach, breathing normally. At first, this may seem difficult, but keep practicing - it can become second nature.