How to Improve Your Posture

Introduction

Good posture can improve your health and carriage, not to mention your overall appearance. To maintain and improve your posture, pay attention to your position when sitting and standing, and even while lying down--here's how to get started.

By: eHow Health Editor

Length: 1:05

Comments: 9

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Difficulty: Easy

Tips & Warnings:

Maintaining proper posture may seem challenging at first, but the more you practice, the easier it will become.
Do back and abdominal exercises on a regular basis. These exercises will strengthen the muscles that help maintain proper posture.

Step1

Choose a chair with firm cushions and a high back.

Step2

Sit with your hips as far against the back of the chair as possible, and with the knees at the level of the hips or just slightly lower.

Step3

Place a round cushion, towel or sweater between the small of your back and the back of the chair to provide back support when sitting.

Step4

Stand with your knees slightly bent and your shoulders relaxed.

Step5

Line up your ears, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles, one on top of the other in a straight line, to maintain proper posture when standing.

Step6

Sleep on a firm mattress that provides back support.

Step7

Sleep on your back with your legs straight or with a pillow beneath your knees. If you prefer to sleep on your side, keep your legs bent slightly, with the top leg straighter than the bottom one. You can place a pillow between your legs to help accomplish this.

Comments

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 Try to maintain a slight contraction in your abdominal muscles throughout the entire day (think about slightly drawing in your belly button in toward your spine). This will help to properly align your spine while also giving you a good workout for your core! A strong core will make it easier to maintain a healthy posture.

Anonymous said

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on 6/30/2006 I had to go to lots of ballet classes, do pilates with my mom, and look on web sites to finally figure out that if you want good posture, you have to strengthen the muscles in your stomach. Half of it is physical and the other half is mental!

Anonymous said

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on 12/30/2005 Try to balance your head on top of your spine instead of using your neck muscles to hold your head up. Almost like you would balance a basketball on your finger.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Place sticky notes on your computer or around the house to remind yourself to sit up straight, ask your friends to nudge you when they see you slouching. Look into the mirror to find the culprit and then work on it.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 When sitting in a chair with a back, imagine your shoulder blades attached to the back of the chair. Also, don't sit with your feet under the chair. If they are out in front of you, you won't feel the need to slouch because of the extra support.

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