Bad posture is something that is developed over time through repetition. Something as seemingly harmless as sitting slouched over in front of a desk can, over time, lead to bad posture and back pain. Even when standing, if you are constantly hunched forward instead of standing up straight, then that can also result in bad posture. The first thing to do when attempting to fix your posture is to simply stop slouching and hunching over in all of your daily activities.
As simple as this task is, it is certainly not easy. You will feel that it is awkward or unnatural to keep your back and shoulders straight, initially. Persevere for long enough, and it may eventually fix your poor posture. Some people need some assistance to help correct their bad posture, and that is where posture correctors come into play. You can purchase ergonomic chairs and other furniture to be in a favorable position when seated. Once you feel what it is like to have a straight back when sitting, you can then learn to sit like this in regular chairs also.
Additionally, you can exercise your muscles to keep your body in shape and this will also benefit your posture. However, if all of these methods fail to produce any results, then perhaps you will need to see a medical professional for guidance on how to proceed.
When sitting down to write, eat, read, or type on a keyboard, many people will slouch or hunch over time as their muscles fatigue. If they are not even aware that this is an issue, then they will not make any attempts to straighten their body and will continue to have poor posture. You should endeavor to always support your back on a surface so that it can stay straight. Using ergonomic furniture, which are specifically made to encourage good posture, may better assist an individual. Furthermore, when sitting at a desk, make sure that the desk and chair heights are set so that you can comfortably type without having to lean forward or reach too high up. Purchasing ergonomic equipment is not necessary, but can be beneficial for people starting out and who need some assistance.
Learning how to sit straight using any type of furniture is the key idea here, since you will not always have access to all of the ergonomic equipment you may have bought. Often you will be out in public places sitting in less than ideal seats, and it is here that you must really be careful. When sitting in a restaurant booth, dining chair, bus/car, doctor’s waiting room or anywhere else, you must endeavor to keep your neck, back, and shoulders straight. You should try to lean as much as you can into the backrest so that there is no gap between any part of your back and the seat.
Being at a healthy body weight and muscularity can be beneficial for fixing bad posture as well. Having some extra stomach fat can cause you to lean forward, placing extra stress on your lower back which will negatively impact posture. Similarly, avoid carrying heavy bags (and if you must, then try to set them down as much as you can) as they can cause your neck and shoulder to slouch forward to try and counterbalance the weight pulling you back.
Posture exercises can be regularly performed to strengthen muscles that need to support your body when standing or sitting straight. You should ask your doctor to recommend you exercises that you can perform to assist your posture. For example, one common exercise is doing a push-up with your back held straight. Seeing a physiotherapist can also be helpful if you have suffered any injuries or are experiencing muscle pain.
Lastly, there are some more posture equipment you can use to aid you. Posture support devices can be worn, and they come in many forms such as braces, straps, bras and even exercise equipment. A posture brace is something you wear that forces your body straight and holds it in place. They are quite useful, but don’t become entirely dependent on them or else you will have to rely on them for the rest of your life.