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How to Stand Up Straight and Improve Your Posture

Member
By skygal
User-Submitted Article
(2 Ratings)

If you are a chronic sloucher, there are ways to turn it around and improve your posture. Some people are genetically susceptible to osteoporosis and if you are one of these people, getting a head start on bad posture won’t help your situation. There are multitudes of ways to make a huge improvement in your posture. All you need to do is stand up straight with your shoulders back, head up, and read on.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Simply stand up straight. Keep your head up. You’ll look more confident and you’ll feel good about yourself. Just as your mother probably used to say when you were a child, don’t slouch. She was actually right. Once you’re aware of your bad posture, it’ll help you get in the practice of knowing when you’re slouching and reminding yourself to stop.

  2. Step 2

    There is a great device available that can sense when your body is slouching and vibrate to notify you so that you can correct your posture. It’s called the iposture and you can purchase it at http://www.iposture.com/.

  3. Step 3

    Exercise has a funny little way of improving all sorts of ailments; even those you didn’t know you had. Bad posture is one such problem that many people are unaware they are doing by slouching. Focusing on your abdominals can help you stand straight. Performing weight lifting exercises can strengthen your muscles and help build a strong core. When you feel strong, it builds your confidence and you naturally begin to stand up straight.

  4. Step 4

    Make sure your diet is balanced with enough nutrients that add to good bone health such as salmon, yogurt, kale, and other calcium and vitamin D fortified foods. Taking calcium, vitamin D, and a multi vitamin can help maintain your bone health if you aren’t able to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Consult your doctor or a nutritionist for advice on what vitamin supplements is right for you.

  5. Step 5

    When you are sitting down, make sure your back is pressed against the back of the chair with your feet flat against the floor. It’s easy to slouch at a desk when surfing the internet. Using an exercise ball can help force you to sit up straight since you have nothing to slouch into.

  6. Step 6

    Check your shoes. Do they fit right? If you don’t feel you are getting enough support with your shoes, you might want to consider seeing a podiatrist. A podiatrist can check to see if you are well supported and give you recommendations for better shoes or even inserts.

  7. Step 7

    Stress can inhibit flexibility and cause muscle tension. Stretching or doing yoga can help release any body tension. A massage can help release tension as well.

Tips & Warnings
  • If you improve your posture now, you’ll be thankful you did later.
  • Bad posture effects your breathing. When you have good posture, it's easier for you to breath.
Resources

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