To optimize health and prolong longevity, it is not enough to exercise and eat more fruits and vegetables. Good posture is essential to living a more fulfilling life and avoiding negative health consequences such as neck and back pain, breathing difficulties, poor athletic performance, digestive problems, muscle fatigue and hormonal imbalances – problems that can worsen over time if not addressed.
“As we age, our joints and ligaments lose elasticity and become less able to adapt to poor posture. This can eventually lead to nerve or spinal cord compression, reduced exercise tolerance and chronic pain,” says Praveen Mummaneni, a spine surgeon at the University of California, San Francisco.
Good posture not only helps you avoid such problems, but also offers benefits such as improved coordination, better balance, more energy, improved perception and increased self-confidence.
“Correct posture also allows you to distribute your weight evenly. This is important because when your weight is evenly distributed, your musculoskeletal system is properly aligned. This allows your body to function more effectively, puts less stress on your joints and bones, and causes less wear and tear overall,” says Laura Deon, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at RUSH University Medical Center in Chicago.
Here’s how to maintain good alignment through proper posture and the positive effects it can have on your physical and mental health.
