I can't remember a moment when I didn't have terrible posture. It isn't for lack of trying; from testing out dirt cheap back braces from eBay (BAD idea 😑) to attempting to burn 🔥 through all of the latest tricks, I've done it all.
It wasn't until later that I realized that the main reason why none of the doctor-approved hacks worked for me is because I didn't actually understand what was causing my bad posture in the *first place*. For starters, I'm a writer who spends most of my time 🕜 leaning over my laptop, which means that I pretty much negated all of my hard work in the span of five minutes 😮. Sometimes, it's really hard to understand just how much our daily routine 📅 affects our bodies. These are just a few of the ways your innocent 😇 habits hurt your back.
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1. The Position You Sleep 💤 in Isn't the Most Comfortable
How you sleep 💤 can have a major impact on your back. If you often find yourself sleeping in a C-shape, you may want to test out a new position. According to Everyday Health , sleeping on your back reduces ⬇️ lower back pain. Just make sure to slip a pillow under your knees first to protect your spine's natural curve!
2. Driving 🚍 Strains Your Lower Back, Especially if Your Seat 💺 is Pushed Too Far Back
If your seat 💺 isn't correctly adjusted, you're automatically putting an unhealthy amount of pressure on your back. When you're in a hurry, it may seem easier to just leave the seat 💺 as is but the end result isn't worth it.
3. Being a Chronic Texter 💬📱 is a Pain in the Neck - Literally 👎
This is the number one reason why most of us can't sit up straight 👎. We spend so much time 🕕 bending our heads when we text 📱that we don't notice how the negative effect it has on our neck and shoulders. It's impossible to give up texting 💬 completely so do yourself a favor by designating a time 🕖 where you won't look at your phone 📱; it can be as little as 30 minutes to an hour ⏳ a day.
4. Sitting up Straight is Hard when You're Sitting in the Wrong Position All Day 😥
Speaking of looking down at your phone, the way you sit when you're texting 💬 (or just in general) also plays a huge role in your constant back pain. If you're like me, your back needs some kind of support. Fully lean back against your chair 💺 while bending your elbows at a 90 degree angle.
5. Ask Yourself This Question: What's in Your Bag 💼?
I like being prepared for any situation. After all, you never know who you'll meet or when you'll need something to pass the time 😚. Naturally, this means that my "bag of mystery" is always packed with the following: an eyeshadow palette, a makeup 💄 brush, two different lipstick 👄 shades, a reading book 📖 for my morning 🌄 commute, a portable charger for my phone 🔌, my laptop 💻, and a sweater just in case it gets chilly. I've been trying to combat the strain on my neck and shoulders by condensing what I carry in my bag 💼 or switching sides from time to time.
6. Good Posture Takes More than Just Keeping Your Head 👦🏽 up
The best way to stand up straight - the right way ☑️ - is to imagine that an imaginary string is holding you up. Your feet 👣 should be proportionate to your shoulders (which will help keep your core centered) while you're also pulling your shoulders back.
7. Stressing out Puts More Stress 😓 on 🔛 Your Body
You'd be surprised 😨 just how much stress and anxiety can mess with your posture 😟. Think about it. When you're upset 🙍 about something, it tends to show in the way you carry yourself. Give yourself a necessary break by doing things that relieve stress such as exercising 🏃 or even getting a relaxing massage 🙌.