How to Improve Your Posture the Easy Way

Do you have a tendency to walk around like a schlump? That means round shouldered, stooped over, and just generally unaware of your posture. Here is a very easy way to straighten up. You'll look better and feel better, too!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Awareness
• Commitment
• This easy technique

1. 
    

   Put your arms straight up over your head. Be aware of your rib cage. Notice how it's lifted up?

2. Now, slowly put your arms down, but keep your ribcage up. I know this sounds contradictory, but try it a few times. You'll see what I mean. (If you want to compare the feeling of a rib cage that's lifted up with one that's down, try this: When you lower your arms, breathe out and let EVERYTHING go loose. That should put you back in your old schlumpy posture.)

3. 
    

   Make sure your shoulders are down. Don't roll them back. Just be aware that you are keeping them down while your ribcage is up.

4. You should now be standing up straight!

5. Practice walking around with this new posture to get used to how it feels.

6. Ask yourself often throughout the day: How is my posture? This will get you in the habit of standing up straight.

Tips & Warnings

• If you dance and have had problems with spins and turns, standing up straight will really help.
• Check with you doctor to make sure it's okay to do this.

[allykat]

on 12/15/2008 Thanks for the tips on improving my posture! I need to work on this more.

[juliebmack]

on 12/8/2008 Sitting in front of a computer all day does not help your posture! Good article.

[momaloy]

on 12/7/2008 I tried this before commenting and it worked - super easy! Great article, thanks!

[slphilbrick]

on 12/5/2008 Poor posture is very wearing on the body... this is a great tip ! 5*

[40skydiver]

on 12/4/2008 Good article.